By Our Staff Reporter

Thiruvananthapuram, March 15: The police have arrested three persons, including a woman, in connection with a series of chain snatching incidents in the city this year.

The accused were identified as Chemban alias Anish, 19, of Kottayam, Pradeep, 25, and Sreeja, 22, of Peroorkada. The Circle Inspector, Peroorkada, M Radhakrishnan Nair, said 11 chain-snatching cases, including the waylaying of a Saraswati Vidyalayam teacher, were detected following the arrest of the accused. The police have also recovered a portion of the loot from a jewelry shop in Vanchiyoor.

The chain-snatchings were reported mostly from Vattiyoorkavu area. The gang used motorbikes stolen from other districts for their operations in the city. The vehicles were fitted with fake registration plates to throw police off-track. The gang targeted women returning from work, morning-walkers or those visiting temples in the early hours.

The CI said Sreeja helped the accused dispose of the loot. The proceeds from the crime were lavished on narcotic drugs, sex-workers, and expensive clothes and at top-end tourist resorts and bar hotels. The CI said Sreeja’s husband, Rajeev, was also part of the racket and police were in search of him.

Anish is accused in several robbery and dacoity cases in Kottayam, Ernakulam and Alappuzha districts.

The CI said he was the youngest member of a notorious gang based in Kottayam. His associates include “Vikkan” Sunil and “Mobile” Shaji who were arrested last year in connection with the murder of one Ambi in Kottayam district court premises.

The police suspect that the stolen motorbikes used for the operation were sourced from a dubious “rent-a-bike” agency owned by a woman in Karunagapally. The CI said the agency owner was also under investigation. Meanwhile, the accused were produced before the court and remanded in judicial custody for 14 days.