Businessman traces and nabs chain snatcher using CCTV footage

A fortnight after two chain snatchers at Bhayander managed to flee with a gold chain from woman walking on the street, a 43-year-old businessman, after being challenged by cops to trace the miscreants, caught hold the duo with the CCTV footage. The duo were the employees working with the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation.

Pradip Bhatia,43, a resident of Bakery Lane in Bhayander (East) had installed CCTV cameras in their locality, after chain snatching incidents increased. Similar incidents took place and was captured in the camera, as he approached Bhayander police to initiate investigations and demanded to arrest the miscreants. Instead, the police asked him to trace them. Two chain snatchers, Vinay Mhatre and Pankaj Sawant, both in their 20s worked for MBMC, on a contractual basis.

"For eight days, I conducted the investigation myself, after I was told by the police that the footage was not clear and they would not be able to do anything, instead of working on the details provided by the woman," said Pradip Bhatia.

"They denied to bring in sketch artists so that a clear picture could have appeared and without wasting anytime, I repeatedly saw the footage and traced the duo. I handed them over to the police and they have confessed to the crime," said Bhatia.

Repeated incidents of chain snatching have left the Mira-Bhayander police officials restless and many cases are not solved, leading to free escape for criminals.

"We have arrested the two snatchers and they have confessed to the crime. A few more cases will go into investigation," said Bhaskar Pukale, police inspector, Bhayander police station.