Gang of women thieves arrested for necklace heist

The Anuradhapura Criminal Investigation Division said that nine members of an organized women’s criminal gang engaged in robbing gold necklaces were arrested and presented to the Magistrate’s Court on Sunday (3).

On Saturday (29), when the Piccha Mal Pooja flower offering was held in Anuradhapura Ruwanveliseya, a member of this gang of thieves robbed gold necklaces of four devotees. The Police say that the total worth of the necklaces is around Rs. 01 million.

A 68-year-old woman who came from Yatiantota lost a Rs. 300,000 worth gold necklace, A woman from Devanampiyatissapura, Anuradhapura, lost a Rs. 185,000 worth gold necklace. A woman from Kuragala lost a gold necklace worth around Rs. 225,000 and a woman from Abhaya Mawatha, Anuradhapura, lost a gold necklace worth Rs. 200,000. The police said that the suspect was arrested based on the complaints received about the members of this gang.

The suspects are aged between 18 and 45. Police say they are an organized group residing in Wennappuwa, Kilinochchi, Colombo, Negombo and Wellampitiya areas.

Police said that the suspects did not have any stolen gold necklaces in their possession and one woman appeared under a false name.

Police said that they came dressed in white during the religious festivals where there are many devotees, stand in a row and break the gold necklaces, so as not to cause a disturbance. The stolen goods are transferred from hand to hand and the gang member who is at the end of the row takes it and slips away from the place.

The Police further stated that the nine women arrested were produced in court on Sunday (30) and eight women were released on bail and the suspect who appeared under a false name was remanded until August 7.