The Pendurthi police have recovered gold chains weighing about 462 gm from a person who is allegedly involved in about 17 offences in 2012 and 2013.
Most of the snatching incidents have been reported under the Gopalapatnam and Pendurthi police station limits.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) T. Ravi Kumar Murthy said that Rayavalasa Santosh Kumar, a resident of Dibbapalem in Bheemunipatnam mandal, along with Dhoni Yellaji, an auto-driver and resident of Pendurthi, were charged with committing 17 offences and snatching chains weighing about 600 gm. While Santosh was arrested on March 26, Yellaji is still at large.
Mr. Ravi Kumar Murthy said that a special team picked up the leads provided by Santosh and recovered about 462 gm.
“The remaining chains are still with Yellaji. We are zeroing in on him. Once he is arrested, we shall recover the remaining gold too,” he said.
The duo normally targeted women going alone to temples early in the morning or are on a morning walk.
Keeping the ongoing ‘Srarvana masam’ celebrations in mind, the DCP said that the beats had been increased near temples and men in mufti were positioned at vulnerable spots. Cautioning women to be alert, he said: “It is always advisable to be accompanied by a male member from the house even for temple visits and put the jewellery back in the locker immediately after puja.”
The accused targeted women going to temples or doing their morning walk alone