Chain snatcher attacks 57-yr-old in her society

Thought you were safe from anti-social elements at least in your own society? Then Priscila Steven Arana, 57, will beg to differ.

Thought you were safe from anti-social elements at least in your own society? Then Priscila Steven Arana, 57, will beg to differ.

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Arana was the latest victim of chain snatching. The homemaker was robbed in her own housing society at IC Colony in Dahisar (West) on Tuesday evening.

According to the police, Arana, a resident of Hareshwar Paradise in Kandarpada area, was returning home after buying vegetables.

“Around 8.15pm, Arana was walking towards her building when she saw a man talking on the cellphone. Suddenly the man snatched her gold chain, ran outside the building and fled in an autorickshaw that was waiting for him,” said Abhishek Shinde, sub-inspector, MHB Colony police station, adding that the chain was worth Rs75,000.

Arana said she thought the man lived in the society. “But he suddenly grabbed my chain and ran. I ran behind the auto, but they had escaped,” said Arana.

Arana said she was shocked at being attacked in her own society. “I began shivering. I did not know who to call for help. The guard tried to calm me down,” she said, adding, “It is unbelievable that thieves are now entering societies and stealing openly.”

The police said the society had two entrance gates, but only one was manned by a guard. “The gate close to the B-Wing, where the incident took place, does not have a watchman,” said Shinde.

“We have more police personnel patrolling the streets. But instances which occur within the residential building are relatively difficult to stop,” added Shinde.