Team Goemkarponn
Canacona: Canacona police have arrested a serial chain snatcher from Karwar, Karnataka, in connection with the robbery of two gold chains from an Israeli national at Patnem beach in Canacona.
The accused has been identified as Anand Chalavadi (23), a resident of Shirwad, Karwar, who is allegedly involved in multiple chain-snatching cases across Karnataka. He was arrested for snatching two gold chains from Noa Svotisky (38), an Israeli woman, while she was walking on the Patnem road towards her resort on January 22.
According to police, the victim lodged a complaint on January 24, stating that an unknown person had snatched two gold chains from her neck while she was returning to her accommodation in Patnem. Following the complaint, Canacona police registered an offence and launched an investigation.
Based on technical analysis, CCTV footage and other reliable inputs, police zeroed in on the suspect, matching the description of the accused and the motorcycle provided by the complainant. Acting on specific information that the suspect was moving around the Karwar market area on a motorcycle without a registration number, a police team was deputed under the instructions of the Canacona Police Inspector and SDPO Canacona.
The team, led by PSI Ramdas Doifode, proceeded to Karwar and apprehended Anand Chalavadi along with the motorcycle. He was brought to the Canacona police station on Monday at around 7 pm and placed under arrest.
During interrogation on Tuesday, police recovered the two stolen gold chains valued at approximately ₹1.35 lakh. In a related development, police also arrested Atul Naik (29), a resident of Karwar, on charges of receiving stolen property.
Police revealed that Chalavadi is a habitual offender and is involved in several criminal cases registered at police stations in Yellapur, Chittakula, Karwar Rural, Karwar Town, Kumta, Hubli Bendigeri and Sub-Urban Dharwad in Karnataka.
Both the accused have been remanded to three days of police custody. Further investigation is being carried out by Canacona PSI Ajit Velip under the guidance of the Canacona Police Inspector and the overall supervision of the Superintendent of Police, South Goa.
