Bengaluru: In a significant breakthrough, city police have captured Achyuta Kumar Gani, widely regarded as Bengaluru’s most prolific chain snatcher, linked to over 160 cases of theft and burglary.
The Girinagar Police made the arrest while investigating a June 16 incident in which Gani allegedly snatched a 50-gram gold chain from a woman outside her residence by pretending to ask for directions. Acting on precise intelligence, officers tracked him down to Hosakerehalli, Desouza Nagar, and detained him on June 23 along with the two-wheeler used in his crimes.
During questioning, Gani confessed to the Girinagar theft and admitted involvement in numerous other offences. Police have recovered 541 grams of stolen gold ornaments worth nearly ₹52.89 lakh from jewellery stores in Hyderabad and Palakkad, Kerala.
Authorities stated that Gani is a habitual offender with a lengthy criminal history. Despite multiple previous arrests, he repeatedly secured bail and returned to crime shortly after being released.
This time, police are considering invoking tougher legal measures, including declaring him a habitual offender and possibly booking him under the Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA) or similar stringent laws to prevent him from obtaining bail easily.
Officials confirmed that his arrest has already helped solve at least 11 recent chain snatching and house burglary cases across the city.