Panchkula police have arrested two snatchers who had struck thrice within one hour in Sector 9 on August 13.
The accused were identified as Sandeep and Ashu of Mauli Jagran, Chandigarh. A total of four motorcycles, 13 bags and four mobile phones were recovered from them, pointing at their involvement in more snatching cases.
The accused had first targeted Sector-11 resident Drishti Madan, making off with her gold chain while she was picking up her brother up from school.
Having fled on a motorcycle, they then snatched a 51-year-old woman’s bag. The victim, Sushma Dogra, of Sector 16, told police that she was going to Sector 9 for some personal work, when two motorcycle-borne men came from behind and snatched her bag, which was carrying two mobile phones and ₹1,500 in cash.
Their third victim was Anita, 34, of Sector 4, a beautician. Anita said she was on her way to a client’s home in Sector 9. Meanwhile, two men on a motorcycle came from behind and snatched her purse.
After registering three separate cases under Section 304 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Sector 5 police station, police had launched an investigation that led to the arrest of the accused. The duo was presented in court and sent to judicial custody.