Couple snatching gold chains arrested

The Anuradhapura Division Criminal Investigation unit yesterday said that a couple working as labourers at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, who were engaged in a racket of stealing gold chains from women pedestrians, was arrested on Wednesday (1).

A gold chain was also found in their possession at the time of arrest. Their modus operandi was that the female suspect would ride a motorcycle, while the male suspect who was on the pillion snatched the gold chain from women pedestrians. Police said that the suspects were from Aralaganwila, Polonnaruwa, and had come to Anuradhapura for work and were residing in a rented house at Vijayapura Bhathiya Mawatha.

Police said that based on a complaint received on February 24 that a gold chain worn by a woman was snatched in the Anuradhapura 55 houses area, this couple was arrested and the stolen gold chain worth around Rs. 95,000 seized.

According to the police, the male suspect had been arrested with heroin in his possession, while working at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, and is currently suspended from work.

Police also said that fake number plates were found fixed on the motorcycle used for the robberies and a separate investigation is underway to uncover the related information. The suspects were to be produced at the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court yesterday (2).