Tip from autodriver leads cops to robbers gang

CHENNAI: Information provided by an autorickshaw driver helped the police in zeroing in on a four-member gang that had been indulging in a series of thefts across the city by employing diversionary tactics. The arrest on Tuesday led to the recovery of a huge haul of cash, jewels and electronic items.For the last two years, A Shanmugham (24), S Chandru (31), V Rajendran (56) and D Amaranathan (57), all native of Tiruchy, had been using the same modus operandi. A gang member would approach parked cars and draw the attention of the occupants to Rs 10 notes lying on the road. As the occupant of the vehicle got down and bent to pick up the notes, other members of the gang would open the doors and snatch the articles kept inside and escape, the police said.Last week, similarly, one Kishore had parked his car on 13th Avenue in Anna Nagar. Using the same modus operandi, the gang escaped with a suitcase containing Rs 2 lakh and a laptop. Acting on the complaint, a special team led by Kilpauk inspector G Subramanian questioned those who were on the scene of crime. An autorickshaw driver Anandan of Shenoy Nagar gave the team an accurate description of the thieves. Based on the information, the police arrested the four men on MTH Road on Tuesday evening.Questioning them, the police learnt that the gang members were involved in thefts at Vepery, Chetpet, Ayanavaram, Chintadripet, Choolaimedu, Anna Nagar and Thoraipakkam. Wads of cash and Rs10-lakh worth of gold jewellery were seized from them. ‘The quartet was produced before the Egmore court, which remanded them to judicial custody.