Banasawadi Police have arrested a notorious gang of four women from Tamil Nadu who were involved in a series of chain-snatching incidents during the Jagannath Rath Yatra held on June 29. The accused, identified as Yashodha, Gayathri, Asha, and Priya, reportedly targeted crowded festivals and public gatherings in Bengaluru to commit thefts.
During the Rath Yatra procession, the area witnessed a massive rush, which provided the gang a perfect cover to operate. The women strategically positioned themselves among the crowd and managed to snatch four gold chains from unsuspecting women. After the thefts, they swiftly escaped from the scene. Following the registration of multiple complaints by the victims, police launched an intensive investigation. Over 300 CCTV footage clips from the event and surrounding areas were reviewed to track the culprits. Based on this evidence, the police successfully identified and apprehended the accused.
A total of 140 grams of stolen gold, valued at approximately ₹14 lakh, was recovered from the gang. Further investigations have revealed that the group has been active not only in Bengaluru but also in other districts, following a similar pattern of theft during festivals and gatherings. The police have urged the public to remain cautious during crowded events and report any suspicious activity immediately. Authorities are also working to trace if the gang has links to a larger interstate theft network.