In a dramatic crackdown on inter-state crime, police arrested two chain snatchers from New Delhi on Friday after a rapid spree of thefts across Kochi. The suspects—Arif (34) from Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh, and Faisal (28) from Shastri Vihar, New Delhi—were apprehended following a swift and coordinated police operation.
The duo arrived at Aluva railway station early Friday morning and promptly stole a motorcycle parked nearby. Their first chain snatching was carried out at 8:10 a.m. near the Companypady bus stop. They then moved toward Chengamanad, committing two more thefts at Palaprasery and Mekkad before striking again at Nedumbassery and attempting a fifth theft.
Police officials stated that the suspects had planned the thefts in advance, timing them to coincide with heavy rains in Kochi to reduce their chances of being noticed. “They intended to pull off multiple thefts in one day and return to Delhi immediately,” said a senior officer.
District Police Chief M Hemalatha quickly assembled a special task force, drawing personnel from Aluva, Chengamanad, and Nedumbassery. Authorities scanned CCTV footage, conducted border checks, and deployed search teams across known escape routes and side roads.
The breakthrough came when the suspects were spotted near Thottakkattukara while trying to return to Aluva. A police roadblock led to a short vehicle chase, ending in their capture by 11 a.m., despite their attempts to flee.
From their possession, police recovered stolen gold chains, rings, pepper spray, a gold-weighing scale, and tools for motorcycle theft. Notably, two of the seized ornaments were confirmed to be fake gold.
