CCTV camera installed to monitor cleanliness helps catch chain snatcher

Karkala, Apr 20: A chain-snatcher was nabbed by the police in Karkala town after he was identified in the video footage of a CCTV camera set up for maintenance of cleanliness in town limits.

Thomas Castelino (48), resident of Salmara in Karkala, is the accused arrested by the police.

Thomas targeted lone women walking in the streets and snatched gold chains from the unaware victims. He would alternatively use three two-wheelers for his deeds.

After the Karkala town municipal council had taken a special interest with regard to maintenance of cleanliness in the surroundings, rules had been implemented to facilitate legal action against miscreants littering or throwing rubbish in the municipality limits. Inspite of this, locals would still dump garbage near Pattonjikatte bridge after dark. In view of this, a CCTV camera had been set up at the location to track and identify miscreants disposing garbage.

With the help of the video footage recorded in the CCTV camera, police were able to identify Thomas and nabbed him soon after his whereabouts were discovered. When Thomas snatched a coral and gold chain worth Rs 25,000 from Baby who was returning from the annual fair at a nearby temple in Pervaje, his actions were recorded with the CCTV camera which helped the police in identifying the culprit.

On further investigation, it was found that Thomas had been involved in over 20 cases of chain-snatching in Karkala town limits and surrounding areas.

Over 16 different stolen gold chains were recovered by the police from the possession of the accused. It is learnt that Thomas had hidden his stash of chains stolen from women in his safe locker in his house.