Videograb of from CCTV footages that show the accused stealing mobile phones in crowded areas across Chennai
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In a coordinated effort to tackle the rising cases of mobile phone thefts by a specialised gang from West Bengal and Jharkhand, the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), and other law enforcement agencies have issued a joint alert regarding the activities of this highly organised group of professional pickpockets.
Members of the gang operate by blending into crowds at railway stations, marketplaces, and other busy public spaces in Chennai and other cities across India. Using distraction tactics and clever concealment methods, they steal mobile phones in seconds and vanish before the victim notices the theft.
Recent cases in Chennai
Around 11:30 a.m. on August 25, K. Veerapathiran of Madurai was booking a ticket at the Guindy Railway Station ticket counter when he realised moments after the transaction that his mobile phone had been stolen from his shirt pocket. On examining CCTV footage, the Mambalam GRP identified a minor boy standing behind the victim and executing the theft in a split second.
A minor boy steals mobile phone from the shirt pocket of an elderly man at the Guindy Railway Station ticket counter
| Video Credit:
Special Arrangement
Following this, on September 4 around 10 a.m., a joint RPF and GRP team apprehended the 12-year-old suspect from Bardhaman, West Bengal, at Beach Station, Chennai.
In a similar incident reported at Marina Police Station, Vellaichamy (67), a hotel manager from the Elephant Gate area, had his mobile phone stolen while buying fish at the Ice Factory on the morning of August 31. CCTV footage revealed three individuals — including a minor boy — involved in the theft. Police arrested Ramkumar (25) of Jharkhand, Suajkumar Nanoia (35) of West Bengal, and a 17-year-old boy, also from West Bengal. Three mobile phones were recovered from the accused. Investigations suggest the gang had struck at several other crowded locations.
According to police, the gang used a plastic bag or newspaper as a cover while stealing phones from passengers at ticket counters or crowded places — a common tactic employed by the gang.
Modus operandi: A well-rehearsed strategy
To raise public awareness and help field officers identify suspects, a joint advisory has been issued. The gang is known to operate with a distinct, well-rehearsed method, making identification and tracking difficult.
A senior RPF officer explained: “The key element of their criminal strategy is the ‘covering technique’. Gang members use a towel, handkerchief, or newspaper to conceal their hands while reaching into a victim’s pocket or bag. This allows them to operate in broad daylight without raising suspicion.”
The gang usually operates in small, coordinated teams of two to three members, sometimes including minors. One of them distracts the potential victim by bumping into him/her, initiating conversation, or causing a bottleneck in a crowded area. The next person executes the theft using the covering technique and the third takes the stolen item and swiftly exits the area, making immediate recovery difficult.
Nomadic pattern to evade law enforcement
Police say the gang follows a nomadic operational model, staying in one city for about a week before moving to another urban hub — including cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, Vijayawada, Howrah, or New Delhi. This continuous movement helps them avoid detection and arrest.
The police authorities in Chennai advised the public to remain vigilant in crowded places such as railway stations, bus stands, malls, and marketplaces. Awareness and prompt reporting can play a crucial role in curbing these thefts.
Published – September 08, 2025 01:45 pm IST
