Chennai: A woman from Andhra Pradesh and an auto driver who snatched a hand purse from a woman pedestrian in Ayanavaram were caught red-handed by locals on Monday evening.
According to police, T. Sharmila (40) of Ponvelpuram street in Ayanavaram was walking to her house in the same street with her son on Monday evening. Since the road was empty, Archana and auto driver Prabhu who had parked his vehicle on the street noticed Sharmila walking in the empty street.
They allegedly drove near Sharmila. Archana who was sitting on the back seat snatched her hand purse and pushed her down.
Police said that when Sharmilan raised an alarm and a few other walkers stopped the auto-rickshaw, the auto driver fled the spot. However, locals were able to nab Archana.
The hand purse was recovered and Archana was handed over to Ayanavaram police.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Archana, a native of Andhra Pradesh lives in at a rented house in Kannigapuram in Puliyantope and is involved in two robbery cases in the Flower bazaar and Puliyantope areas. Police said that she lured auto drivers with fake promises to commit crimes. Based on her inputs police arrested Prabhu of Tindivanam.
They are trying to find out whether he is involved in any other offences. A case was registered against them and they have been remanded to judicial custody.
