Science graduate who committed 10 snatchings as ‘quick income route’ arrested

According to police officials, despite being well-educated, the accused chose crime as a “quick income route” and specifically targeted women out for morning or evening walks, or those passing through relatively isolated sector roads. Police had been searching for him for a long time as several cases of chain snatching bore similarities pointing towards the same suspect.

Panchkula ACP (Crime) Arvind Kamboj said that the breakthrough came when the police received a tip-off that Ojha had moved to Punjab’s Moga district and was hiding there to evade arrest. The Detective Staff team raided the suspected location and arrested him on November 18. The police have recovered Rs 1.60 lakh in cash, which the accused earned after selling stolen gold chains and their fragments in different cases.

Beyond the Panchkula incidents, Ojha is also suspected to be behind five snatching cases in Chandigarh, while two snatching cases and one Arms Act case are already registered against him in Agra. His criminal pattern, police said, involved frequently shifting hideouts to avoid getting caught.

Police officials said that despite his educational background, Ojha had been arrested multiple times earlier and was currently out on bail when he committed the recent crimes. He was produced in court on Tuesday and has been sent to judicial custody.

Panchkula police stated that enhanced surveillance and stronger enforcement measures are in place to curb snatching incidents and ensure safety especially for women across the city.