The two-wheeler used by the suspects found abandoned near Secunderabad, the police suspect the involvement of an interstate gang.
An image of the suspects captured by surveillance camera. (Supplied)
The Telangana Police are on high alert after at least six chain-snatching incidents were reported from various parts of Hyderabad within two hours on Saturday, 7 January.
The police said three incidents occurred under the Rachakonda Commissionerate limits (two in Uppal and one in Nacharam). The remaining three were committed at Osmania University, Chilkalguda near Ramalayam Gundu and Ramgopalpet, falling under the Hyderabad Commissionerate.
Following the series of chain-snatching incidents, the Hyderabad police issued a statewide alert, including at transit points.
The police said efforts are on to arrest the bike-borne suspects, whose images were captured by CCTV cameras.
The chain-snatching incidents happened between 6 am and 8 am on Saturday.
The police said the first incident happened at Rajadhani Colony in Uppal under the Rachakonda Commissionerate at 6:20 am.
Within 20 minutes, another woman lost her gold chain to the borne snatchers at the nearby Kalyanpuri Colony in Uppal. The Uppal police have registered two cases.
The chain snatchers struck again at Nagendra Nagar in Nacharam police station limits around 7:10 am.
Reports said the suspects proceeded to Ravindra Nagar under the Osmania University police station and snatched another chain around 7:40 am.
They struck again at 8 am and 8:10 am. The first one was near Ramalayam Gundu in Chilkalguda police station limits. The next one was near the MMTS station in Ramgopalpet police’s jurisdiction.
Rachakonda and Hyderabad commissionerates formed special teams to arrest the suspects.
The police confirmed that the victims were unharmed but were shocked.
Reports said the police have identified the suspects and their criminal antecedents are being verified.
“We suspect the involvement of an interstate gang that is based outside Hyderabad,” DCP (Malkjagiri zone) Rakshita Murthy told South First.
“Such gangs were involved in similar incidents a few years ago. The same gang may be behind today’s incidents also,” she said.
The officer added that efforts are on to identify the suspects from CCTV footage. “We are also coordinating with the Hyderabad city police,” she added.
Investigators found the bike used to commit the crimes, a Bajaj Pulsar, abandoned near Secunderabad. The police suspect that could be part of the suspects’ plan to catch a train from the Secunderabad railway station.
Separate cases were registered under IPC 394 (committing robbery), the police said.
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