B'luru: Man poses as jeweller, flatters women to steal their gold chains; two held

Police have arrested two persons, including a woman for duping gullible women and stealing their gold chains.

The accused have been identified as Sajjad Mohammed Ali, 38, a resident of DJ Halli and Vaithyagi, 40, a resident of Banaswadi. Police recovered a 202-gram gold chain valued at Rs 7.55 lakh and two bikes from their possession.

Police investigating a theft case lodged by a woman, who runs a dry fruit store arrested Ali recently. As per the complainant, Ali had come to her shop on May 21 afternoon and on the pretext of buying dry fruits, he began conversing with her. He told her that he owns a jewellery store and expressed interest in the intricate design of the chain she was wearing. Ali asked her if he could take photos of the same so he would make a similar design for his customers. Using diversionary tactics, he sneaked away with the chain.

Following his arrest police cracked over five other theft cases reported in Basaveshwarnagar, Nandini Layout.

Police said that Ali would often target women at stores his modus operandi being to place orders and try to make conversation with the women in the interim. He would often flatter the women over the design of their gold chain and steal it on the pretext of taking photos. At times he offered to sell their gold chain without any deductions towards making charges and wastage.

His accomplice Vaithyagi used to pledge the stolen gold ornaments with a mortgage firm and take 20 percent of the amount and give him the rest.