Auto driver arrested for stealing gold chain, cash from unconscious passenger

Police have arrested an auto-rickshaw driver for allegedly stealing a passenger’s gold chain, wristwatch and cash in Pattinapakkam.

According to the police, the complainant, Rajarajan, 60, a retired engineer from Coimbatore, stated that his son, Srinishanth, a resident of the United States, attended a wedding at Raja Annamalaipuram in MRC Nagar on December 13, 2025, and boarded an auto-rickshaw to return to his destination.

In the early hours of December 14, the auto driver contacted Rajarajan, claiming that his son had fainted during the journey and that he did not know where to drop him. Rajarajan directed the driver to drop his son at a friend’s house in Madipakkam. Police said the driver dropped Srinishanth at the location and collected ₹8,000 from his friend via digital mode, claiming it as charges for roaming around in the auto through the night.

After regaining consciousness later that morning, Srinishanth found that his gold chain, worth four sovereigns, wristwatch, and ₹8,000 kept in his purse, were missing. Suspecting the auto driver’s role, Rajarajan lodged a complaint with the Pattinapakkam Police Station on February 9.

Following an investigation, a police team led by the Crime Branch Inspector found that the driver had taken advantage of the passenger losing consciousness to steal the valuables. The stolen gold chain was later melted into a gold ingot.

Police arrested the auto driver, identified as Sabir Ahmed, 33, of Srinivasapuram. The recovered gold ingot weighed about 30 grams. Further investigation is under way.