Pol prescribes chilli to deter chain-snatchers

Pol told reporters that police patrolling has been increased to deter chain-snatchers. Another measure to increase police visibility was to ask police personnel to wear their uniform right from their homes when they start for duty.

“Orders have been given to cops at all police stations that they should wear uniform at the time of leaving home for duty. Many cops wear plainclothes while leaving home and change into uniform at police stations. Instructions are being given that they wear the uniform right from the time they leave their home for work. Presence of more policemen in uniform on roads helps in controlling crime,” said Pol.

Pol also said rigorous checking is on and traps using female cops in plainclothes wearing fake gold ornaments are being sprung in areas where chain-snatching incidents are frequently reported. Besides,cops attached to traffic control branch and special branch have been asked to keep an eye on likely chain-snatchers.

In the three incidents reported on Wednesday,the victims were senior citizens and the modus operandi was the same.

Around 9.50 am,Snehlata Trimbak Apte,66,of Sadashiv Peth was walking towards a temple near her residence when two youths on motorcycle snatched her gold chain worth Rs 40,000 and fled. Apte lodged the complaint at Vishrambag police station. Police sub-inspector A S Lambe is investigating the case.

Around 10 am,Shalini Subhash Babalkar,72,of Shukrawar Peth was walking towards a clinic ,when two unidentified persons on motorcycle snatched her gold chain worth Rs 44,000 and escaped. Babalkar lodged the complaint at Khadak police station. Assistant police inspector S R Shirke is investigating the case.

Around 11 am,two unidentified men on a bike snatched a gold chain worth Rs 1 lakh from Madhavi Shrinivas Kanade,56,of Dhankawdi.

Kanade,her son and daughter-in-law were about to sit in their car,when her gold chain was snatched away. Kanade has lodged a complaint at Sahakarnagar police station.