Mangaluru: Criminal characters on December 25, Tuesday robbed senior citizens of their gold chains in three separate incidents in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada.

The suspects approached Venkatramana Acharya in Ambagilu near the fish market, claiming to be policemen. They claimed that robbery in the locality was on the rise. They requested Acharya to remove the gold chain so that they could properly pack it in a paper the victim obliged. Within seconds of getting the 24 gram gold chain, the duo sped away.

In a similar incident near the city bus stop, three unknown men robbed Bhaskar Poojary of his 12 gram chain worth Rs 24,000.

In Mangaluru, bike borne miscreants conversing in Hindi posed as CID sleuths and robbed Bhagavan (70), a resident of Alake of his cash, gold and other valuables, all worth Rs 70,000.

They claimed that a gang was moving in the city to loot the people and asked him to keep his ornaments inside the pocket. Bhagavan trusted them and handed over his spectacles, mobile phone, watch, cash, ring and chain in a towel. The suspects took the towel from Bhagavan held it for sometime and returned. They fled from the spot within seconds. When he opened towel, there was nothing inside

Udupi SP Laxman Nimbargi suspected involvement of Iranian gang members in the incident.

The Mangaluru City police have cautioned citizens against people posing as policemen.

The police held awareness programmes in Ullal, Konaje, Thokkottu, Ullal, Someshwara, Talapady and Konaje surrounding areas.