A duo, who apparently made a living trading stolen mobile phones, were arrested here on Monday. John alias Anandan (22), who used to work at an aluminium company, and his partner in crime Elango (22), started their ‘venture’ one-and-a-half years back.
The duo’s illicit trade came to light when they gave contradictory accounts as to what they did for a livelihood, after they were stopped by police during a vehicle inspection, Chinthadripet Inspector P Subramani told Express.
Later, while being interrogated, they confessed to having stolen mobile phones from several persons in the city. Explaining their modus operandi, sources said they would target those busy speaking on their phones.
While one of them waited with their two-wheeler, the other one would pick up a quarrel with the victim. After ensuring that the victim was distracted and confused, one of them would snatch the phone and hop on the bike, which his accomplice would have started by then, and race away. They dealt in mobile phones as it was apparently easy to find customers, who readily coughed up cash on the spot.
A cell phone that the duo had robbed in Nungambakkam last month was traced to Kerala with the help of its International Mobile Equipment Number (IMEI).
Till date, police have managed to recover 25 stolen phones based on information given by the duo.
The accused claimed that they didn’t remember all their customers or the exact number of phones they stole, sources said, while putting the number at around 100.
Three of their customers have also been detained for questioning by police.
Meanwhile, the duo were remanded and subsequently lodged in Puzhal prison.
Rowdy hacked to death
A history-sheeter was hacked to death by a three-member gang in Sembium here on Tuesday afternoon.
Asaithambi (21) of Sembium, had a few pending cases with the Sembium police. On Tuesday, a three-member gang in the neighbourhood picked up a quarrel with him. The gang attacked him with lethal weapons killing him on the spot. Preliminary investigations revealed that the murder could have been the result of past enmity between Appu alias Dinesh, a resident of Kolathur, and the victim. Police were searching for the accused and a case has been registered.
Two-year-old Slips From Third Floor, Dies
A two-year-old boy, who slipped from the third floor of a building on Monday evening while his parents were visiting the boy’s grandparents, succumbed to injuries at the Royapettah General Hospital here on Tuesday.
Mohammed was playing in an adjacent balcony, when the incident took place. His parents, Rizwanullah and Sultan Begum, went to visit the boy’s grandfather around 6.30 pm. When Mohammed was alone, he slipped through a gap in the balcony and was severely injured. He died at at Royapettah GH.
HM Cadre Held
Members of the Hindu Munnani (HM) who tried to stage a demonstration in front of the Mambalam-Guindy Tahsil Office were arrested here on Tuesday.
Comments
0 comment