In a major breakthrough, NTR district police on Wednesday busted a four-member chain-snatching gang, including two women, and seized 476 grams of gold worth Rs30 lakh.
As per Police Commissioner S.V. Rajasekhar Babu, the arrests were made during a routine vehicle check near the Tummalapalem bus stop in Ibrahimpatnam. Police noticed four individuals attempting to flee suspiciously. Upon intercepting and interrogating them, the suspects confessed to a series of chain-snatching crimes.
The arrested have been identified as:
Achi Giribabu (36) – Prime accused and former agricultural laborer
Achi Mahesh (21) – His younger brother
Galeti Venkata Ramana (38)
Mogili Sandhya (38)
All four are residents of Kondapalli, though Giribabu and Mahesh hail originally from Upputur village in Nellore.
Investigations revealed that Giribabu turned to crime after falling into bad habits and adopting a lavish lifestyle beyond his means. In pursuit of quick money, he began targeting elderly women walking alone in less crowded or remote areas. The gang would ride a motorcycle, snatch gold chains, and flee.
The police are now verifying if the gang is linked to unsolved thefts in nearby districts and have urged the public to report similar cases.
