How a text message helped Chennai police nab pickpockets targeting DMK cadre

Chennai, Aug 2: Chennai police have nabbed a trio of pickpockets who targeted DMK cadres standing outside Kauvery Hospital where party President M Karunanidhi is admitted. Interestingly, the police have managed to nab a trio with just the use of a single-word text message.

The message just said "come". The officer hid under the bed, overheard the conversation of the pickpockets, texted a team waiting outside and minutes later, they were caught.

As many as 13 people, who went on a pickpocketing spree targeting the DMK cadre who had assembled outside Kauvery Hospital in anticipation of news about ailing party patriarch M. Karunanidhi's health, were apprehended on Tuesday.

According to the reports, two of the accused, Annadurai, 31, and Murali, 25, collected information of the gathering around the state from the news and passed on the information to Jeevarathinam, 54, who would take some pickpockets and daily wage labourers to steal there. The men also confessed to having purchased flags and towels of political parties to use whenever necessary, police said.

A number of mobile phones along with 10 wallets were recovered by the police from the gang that had been tapping in on the downhearted DMK cadre.

Another thief was caught by the Chennai police, reportedly trying to blend in with the DMK cadre in an attempt to pickpocket a party member. Some mobile phones, a watch and Rs 60,000 in cash was found on the accused.

Their interrogation revealed that they hailed from different districts and had met in prison. They often targeted party cadre who gathered in large numbers on special occasions like the birthday or the anniversary of their leaders.

For more Chennai news Click Here