Hyderabad: Secunderabad railway police arrested a habitual chain snatcher involved in multiple train thefts, recovering gold jewellery worth ₹3 lakh.
The accused, identified as Mothilal Reddappa Pawar alias Mothilal (24), hails from Raichur, Karnataka. Initially employed in Pune and Maharashtra, he turned to crime after finding his income insufficient. With over 30 property-related offences to his name, he was recently released on bail.
According to police, Mothilal resumed thefts to raise money for legal fees to help his jailed accomplices secure bail. He took up temporary residence in city lodges and targeted women passengers in trains.
In recent incidents, he snatched gold chains from women travelling on the Palnadu Express on July 14 and in an MMTS train on July 19. Railway police registered cases following complaints and began surveillance.
On July 21, Mothilal was apprehended while moving suspiciously at Secunderabad railway station. Interrogation led to his confession. Police recovered 35 grams of stolen gold jewellery from him.
The case details were disclosed at a press meet by Railway DSP Javed and Inspector Sai Eshwar Goud.