Snatching bid goes wrong twice, 2 held

DAREDEVILS Two women fight back snatchers, help nab accused

NEW DELHI: Two 22-year-old men, who went on a snatching-cumstealing spree in west Delhi, were nabbed within 20 minutes of each other on Saturday, thanks to the bravery of two of their potential victims. -- both women.

Police said that while one woman escaped unhurt, the other sustained minor injuries after she was dragged by one of the snatcher’s motorcycle .

By the time the drama ended, both the accused had been nabbed, two stolen motorcycles recovered and three snatched purses recovered. The accused were identified as Sagar Prasad and Jagdip Singh.

According to the police, the chain of events started around 10pm on Friday when the accused stole a Yamaha motorcycle from west Delhi’s Nihal Vihar.

The next morning, Saturday, they used the stolen bike to first target a 35-year-old teacher near the Tagore Garden Metro station.

“The duo, Sagar and Jagdip, snatched her purse and sped away around 7.45am outside the Metro station,” said Vijay Kumar, DCP (west).

Buoyed by their success, the men then headed towards Subhash Nagar Metro station where they spotted a 25-year-old woman, identified as Kanika, who works as a teacher in a private school, riding pillion on the scooter of her father.

“One of the two motorcycleborne men lunged at my daughter’s bag and tried to snatch it. But she did not let go. Instead, she jumped down from the scooter, while clinging on to her purse,” said Kanika’s father, Vinod.

Vinod said his daughter raised an alarm. In the ensuing chaos, the snatchers fell off their motorcycle. While Kanika caught hold of Sagar, who was riding pillion, Jagdip managed to flee on foot.

But Jagdip was not done . He stole a second bike around 8.10am and rode towards Tilak Nagar, in search of his next prey.

Police said Jagdip noticed 22-year-old Shaalu near Tilak Nagar Metro station and tried to target her.

“I felt someone trying to pull at my handbag. Initially i thought it was a prank. But later I realised what was happening,” Shaalu said. She added that she refused to let go of her bag and was dragged for almost five metres as Jagdip tried to speed away. “The snatcher, however, lost control of his bike and fell. Some locals caught hold of him, thrashed him, and handed him over to the police,” Shaalu said.