Police in Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada district have made arrests in a case of chain snatching that targeted an elderly woman at a temple. Three women are now in custody for the alleged theft of a gold chain weighing approximately 14 grams.
The Incident at the Temple
The victim, identified as 67-year-old Yamuna, a resident of Kemminje, had visited a local temple in Puttur on December 26, 2025. She was there to participate in a religious event and was wearing her gold chain at the time. According to the police complaint, the theft occurred while she was engaged in the temple activities.
Investigation Leads to Arrests
Following a report filed by Yamuna, law enforcement officials launched an investigation. Using local intelligence and technical surveillance, the police team zeroed in on the suspects. The swift action led to the apprehension of three women believed to be involved in the crime. While their identities have not been fully disclosed in initial reports, the police confirmed the arrests were made based on credible evidence linking them to the incident.
Recovery and Legal Proceedings
The primary focus of the investigation now is to recover the stolen gold chain. Authorities are interrogating the arrested individuals to ascertain the complete sequence of events and locate the missing jewellery. The accused are expected to be produced before a local court, where the police will seek remand for further questioning. This case highlights the vigilance of Puttur police in tackling street crimes, especially those targeting vulnerable senior citizens at crowded religious gatherings.
The incident serves as a reminder for devotees to remain cautious with their valuables in public spaces. Police have also advised people to avoid wearing expensive jewellery in large crowds to prevent such opportunistic crimes.
