Kasargod: An attempt to steal a three-pavan gold chain from a 77-year-old woman at Hosangadi was foiled after an alert co-passenger noticed the suspected theft and alerted the elderly woman. Local residents and fellow passengers then surrounded the woman and handed her over to the Manjeshwar police.
The accused has been identified as Muthaatha, 40, a native of Madurai in Tamil Nadu. The incident took place around 2 pm on Sunday when the elderly woman was getting down from a KSRTC bus at the Hosangadi bus stop.
Elderly woman was returning from Mangaluru
According to the report, the victim, identified as Prema, 77, is a resident of Bangramanjeshwar. She was returning to Hosangadi from Mangaluru after attending a relative’s wedding reception.
As Prema was alighting from the KSRTC bus, the accused woman was reportedly standing directly behind her. The woman, who was wearing a chudidar, allegedly attempted to cut and steal Prema’s gold chain while the elderly passenger was getting off the bus.
The chain was reportedly worth three pavan, making the incident a significant loss had the attempt succeeded. However, the alleged theft was noticed by a young female co-passenger who immediately alerted Prema.
Co-passengers and public stop suspected theft
After being alerted, other passengers and members of the public quickly reacted. They surrounded the accused woman and prevented her from leaving the spot.
The public then informed the Manjeshwar police about the incident. The woman was subsequently handed over to the police for further investigation.
The quick intervention by the co-passenger and other members of the public helped prevent the alleged theft and ensured that the suspect was detained before she could leave the area.
Police begin interrogation
The Manjeshwar police have taken the accused woman into custody and are questioning her in connection with the incident.
Police reportedly stated that several theft cases have already been registered against the arrested woman at different police stations. Investigators are now questioning her to establish whether she was involved in other similar incidents and to gather further details about the alleged attempted theft.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and whether the suspect was acting alone or had links to others involved in similar thefts.
Incident highlights need for vigilance at bus stops
The incident also highlights the need for passengers, particularly elderly people, to remain alert while boarding and getting down from crowded buses. Gold-chain theft attempts can take place quickly in crowded areas, making the presence of alert co-passengers important.
In this case, the intervention of a young passenger helped Prema avoid losing her gold chain. The immediate response from fellow passengers and the public also enabled the police to take the suspect into custody.
The police are continuing their inquiry into the case, including the reported theft cases allegedly registered against the accused at different police stations.
Conclusion
The alleged gold-chain theft attempt at Hosangadi was foiled after an alert passenger noticed the suspicious activity and raised an alarm. The accused was subsequently caught by the public and handed over to the Manjeshwar police, who are investigating the incident and questioning her about other reported theft cases.