Mangaluru: The central crime branch (CCB) police have arrested a notorious chain snatcher who was involved with several cases of chain snatching within Udupi and Mangaluru police stations limits. Jewellery stolen or robbed by him and a car used by him for chain snatching were confiscated by the police.

Police, who had received information that chain snatchers were sighted moving about in a Maruti Ritz car in the vicinity of Vamanjoor, chased the car and arrested Shakib alias Sabbu(25), resident of Katipalla, Suratkal. He has reportedly confessed to the police that he and his accomplices have been snatching gold chains by using this car and motor bikes.

Shakib had snatched a gold chain from the neck of Yashoda, a shopkeeper in Subhashnagara, Moodbidri on August 16, 2018 by entering her shop in the guise of buying groundnuts. He also had allegedly snatched gold chain from the neck of Kariya, Iruvathur when Kariya was walking on the road on April 5, 2018. In another incident, he had yanked off gold chain worn by Alice Cutinho at Pilar Khan on July 15, 2018 when she was walking by the side of the road.

The police said he also had forcibly taken away gold chain from the neck of Geetha Kini at Harjaddu, Kukkundoor village on August 29, 2018. He has been also accused of robbing gold chain from the neck of Gauri Nayak at Marigudi, Renjala on August 30, 2018.

The accused used to come with his accomplices in his car and bikes and had robbed gold chains from innocent senior citizens and women. Five gold chains weighing 140 grams, one Karimani chain and two gold pendants, totally worth Rs 4,15,000 were recovered from his possession. Police have also confiscated the Ritz car and two mobile phones, totally valued at Rs 6,60,000 used for the crimes.

A search for his accomplices is in progress. Shakib also has six cases including attempted murder registered in Surathkal police station against him, a case of robbery in Bajpe police station and bike theft case in Mangaluru north police station. The accused and the stolen items were handed over to Moodbidri police station for further action.

CCB unit inspector Shantaram, PSI Shamsunder and staff took part in the operation under guidance from police commissioner T Suresh, deputy commissioner Uma Prashanth (crime and traffic).