THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A pickpocket who appeared in public places in smart formals was nabbed by the Thampanoor Police on Friday.
The arrested was identified as Joseph Augustin, 49, of Vimala Villa, Eravipuram, Kollam. The police claimed that he had been stealing purses and bags of travellers who arrived at the Thampanoor bus station for some years.
Joseph was caught in the act while stealing the bag of one Raju hailing from Thrissur.
Thampanoor circle inspector Suresh V Nair said the accused had claimed that he also carried out thefts in buses on the Kanyakumari-Nagercoil- Kaliyikkavila route.
The police have recovered cash, including foreign currency, purses and mobile phones from him - all reportedly stolen goods. He was staying at a private lodging in the city.
The investigation team led by Fort Assistant Commissioner R Sreekumar included Thampanoor circle inspector Suresh V Nair, sub-inspectors M Sasidharan Pillai and Anil T George and senior civil police officers Santhoshkumar and Alphin Jose.