Date:07/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/07/stories/2008110759040300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Auto driver arrested for theft

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: An autorickshaw driver was arrested for stealing 120 grams of gold jewellery worth Rs.1.50 lakh from a passenger.

The victim, S. Rajeswari (43) of Vellore district, alleged that the autorickshaw driver, Ramakrishnan, who helped her to unload luggage from the vehicle on September 16 had stolen the gold ornaments and a cell phone from her handbag.

Realising the theft on reaching home, Ms.Rajeswari lodged a complaint with the Kumaran Nagar police station. As she had not noted the registration number of the vehicle, police decided to trap the culprit using the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of the mobile phone.

A special police team traced the location of the mobile phone by monitoring the IMEI number. With inputs from the mobile operator, the police managed to apprehend Ramakrishnan. The stolen property was recovered, police said.