Three held for phone-snatching in Madhavaram

The Madhavaram police have arrested three youths on charges of phone snatching in Madhavaram and the adjoining northern suburbs.

The arrests were made following a complaint lodged by Seeman, 45, a rental car driver from Mathur near Manali. Three men on a motorcycle had snatched his mobile phone while he was waiting for a bus at the Madhavaram Roundtana stop in the early hours of January 27, and sped away, the police said.

Based on his complaint, the Crime Investigation Wing of the Madhavaram Police Station registered a case. On investigation, the police arrested the trio — Tamilselvan, 24, Vinoth, 19, and Mohammed Sherif, 20, all from Old Washermenpet — on Friday.

The trio used the motorcycle, which was stolen from Sevappet, to commit phone-snatching across Madhavaram, M.K.B. Nagar, Puzhal and Vyasarpadi, the police said.

Five mobile phones — including the complainant’s device — and the stolen motorcycle were recovered from the accused. Further investigation is under way to determine whether the trio are involved in other cases.