Temple Terror: Couple Arrested for Snatching Gold from Elderly Woman
Hyderabad police arrest a man and woman for snatching a gold ornament from an elderly woman at a temple. Stolen gold and phones recovered.
In a shocking incident of targeted crime, the Vanasthalipuram Police have apprehended a man and a woman for allegedly snatching a gold ornament from a 66-year-old woman at a temple in Hyderabad's Hasthinapuram. The duo, who targeted the victim while she was alone, were caught after a swift investigation by the Malkajgiri Commissionerate.
The Morning Ambush
The incident unfolded on October 18 at approximately 6:04 am. The victim, identified as Andugula Ramulamma, was performing her morning duties, cleaning the Raja Rajeshwari Temple located in the Venkata Ramana Colony of Hasthinapuram. While she was alone at the premises, she was suddenly ambushed by the accused.
According to police reports, the attackers used a calculated approach to overpower the elderly woman. The female accomplice reportedly grabbed the victim and covered her mouth to prevent her from screaming, while the male accomplice forcibly ripped a gold pusthelathadu (a traditional gold ornament) weighing approximately 30 grams from her neck.
The Failed Escape and Sale
After the crime, the duo fled the scene on a scooter. However, their plan to profit from the theft hit a snag when they were unable to find a buyer for the stolen gold. In an attempt to distance themselves from the crime, they traveled to Narsaraopet in Andhra Pradesh, where they parked their scooter at the Nadikudi Railway Station and boarded a train to return to Hyderabad.
A Pattern of Crime
Police investigations revealed a disturbing modus operandi. The accused, identified as 23-year-old Annapu Reddy Durga Ramana Reddy and 24-year-old Tenka Varalaxmi, specifically targeted elderly women who were alone in isolated locations, making them easy prey for their snatch-and-run tactics.
The Arrest and Recovery
The law caught up with the pair on October 21. Around 9:00 am, police intercepted and arrested them near a jewellery shop in Kamala Nagar, Vanasthalipuram. During the arrest, officials recovered the following items:
- The stolen gold pusthelathadu (approx. 30 grams).
- Two mobile phones belonging to the accused.
Police Operation
The successful operation was carried out under the guidance of Malkajgiri Commissioner of Police B Sumathi and the supervision of DCP LB Nagar Zone, B Anuradha. The team that brought the criminals to justice included ACP T Karunakar Rao, SHO S Ravi Babu, DI B Rajesh, Sub-Inspectors V Ravi and D Mallaiah, and the dedicated Vanasthalipuram Crime Team.