THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major combing operation, the city shadow police arrested a four-member robbery gang engaged in chain-snatching, vehicle lifting and housebreaks across the state. Brucely alias Biju 29, of Poudikkonam, Shabeek, 25, of Vithura, Bilal alias Shyne 31 of Cherthala and Sarosh Praveen alias Marthaandan, 24, were arrested from various parts of the state. Brucely Biju was arrested from a houseboat at Kumarakom while Bilal was arrested from his hideout at Payyoli in Kozhikode.
City Police Commissioner T J Jose said at a press meet here on Wednesday that the gang members used to steal bikes from various parts of the city and were engaged in chain-snatching using the robbed bikes. Brucely Biju is an accused in around 30 chain-snatching cases. Bilal is a notorious goonda of Alappuzha.
Shabeek who harboured Bilal is an accused of sandalwood robbery case. Marthandan alias Suresh is a close aide of notorious goonda Blacky Shibu. Police said that the team used to follow a unique way of chain-snatching. Two of the gang members would ride a bike and snatch the chain while the other two would follow tthem in a rented car. After snatching the chain, those travelling on the bike would shift to the car while those travelling in the car would travel on the bike. This was to avoid the police from nabbing the gang members on the bike, according to details furnished by those robbed.