Mangaluru: Chain-snatching accused arrested within days; 32g gold mangalsutra recovered

Mangaluru: Chain-snatching accused arrested within days; 32g gold mangalsutra recovered

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, December 29, 2025: Mangaluru rural police have swiftly traced and arrested an accused of snatching a gold chain from a woman who was walking along Koppalakadu Road. A 32-gram gold mangalsutra, valued at approximately ₹3.5 lakh, belonging to the victim has been recovered.

The incident occurred on December 25, 2025, at around 6.30 pm, when a woman, a resident of Gurunagar, was returning home with her daughter from her shop in Yeyyadi. While walking on Koppalakadu Road near Shankar Bhavan Hotel, an unidentified man approached from behind, suddenly snatched the 32-gram gold mangalsutra from her neck, and fled the scene.

Following a complaint filed the same day, a case was registered at the Mangaluru Rural Police Station under Crime No. 128/2025, invoking Section 304(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and an investigation was taken up.

Under the supervision of Police Inspectors Gaviraj and Arun Kumar, along with the PSI, station crime staff, and the crime team of the ACP, South Sub-Division, a special team was formed to trace the accused. Based on credible evidence, the police arrested the accused, Rohith B. Das, on December 28, 2025, at around 9.30 am from Kakke Padavu in Bantwal.

The police recovered the stolen 32-gram gold mangalsutra worth ₹3.5 lakh and also seized the electric scooter used in committing the crime.

During the investigation, it was revealed that the accused was employed with Swiggy and Zomato, had recently purchased the scooter, and had incurred debts amounting to several lakhs of rupees for personal expenses. He allegedly committed the chain-snatching offence to repay these loans.

Rohith B. Das (24), son of Lakshman Das, resident of Door No. 1-13/1, Bitta Mane, behind Panchadurga High School, Kakke Padavu, Uli Gram and Post, Bantwal taluk, Dakshina Kannada district.

Police also stated that in 2025, a total of seven chain-snatching cases were reported within the jurisdiction of the Mangaluru City Police Commissionerate, and all seven cases have been solved, with the accused arrested and stolen property recovered.