Karkala, April 15: Using CCTV footage, the Karkala town police have arrested a notorious chain snatcher.
Thomas (48), from Salmar was arrested.
Police said that Thomas was involved in more than 36 chain-snatching cases. Cops have recovered 13 chains from the possession of the accused.
The accused was active since the last some months. He used to move about in his motor bike, targeted lonely woman pedestrian moving on the road, approached them and escaped after snatching away the gold chains from their necks. It was hard for the police to trace the accused.
During the Brahmakalashotsava programme of Lord Mahalingeshwara temple at Peruvaje near here, the police found the images of the chain snatcher which were recorded in closed circuit TV camera installed there.
This CCTV camera had been installed on the interest of municipal chief officer, Rayappa, who wanted to watch the persons who were dumping garbage on Peruvaje road.
The camera showed the footages of a man entering, and returning through the road at the same speed after snatching chain from a women’s neck.
Accused Thomas is an entrepreneur. Police after raiding his home have recovered 13 stolen gold chains which were found safely placed inside the almirah.
