Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Visakhapatnam Police Arrest Chain Snatcher and Steel Theft Gang
Police in Visakhapatnam arrested people in two separate theft investigations.
One suspect, Mahender Singh, is accused of stealing gold chains from elderly women.
Police said he was linked to many other chain-snatching cases.
Another person was arrested for allegedly helping sell the stolen gold.
In a separate case, seven people were arrested for allegedly stealing copper and steel from a steel plant.
Police said the group used fake employee identity cards to enter the plant.
Officers recovered copper, fake cards and motorcycles.
All the arrested people were sent to judicial custody, while investigations continue.
Airport Crime Police arrested Rajasthan-based Mahender Singh over alleged chain snatching targeting two elderly women in Visakhapatnam.
Police said Singh faced 40 cases across 15 police stations in seven districts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Police also arrested Mandru Latha Ratnakar and recovered two mangalsutra chains and Rs.5.55 lakh.
Gajuwaka crime police arrested seven people accused of stealing copper and steel from Visakhapatnam Steel Plant using forged identity cards.
The second investigation reportedly recovered about 300 kg of copper, five forged identity cards and two motorcycles.
- Who
- Airport Crime Police arrested Mahender Singh and Mandru Latha Ratnakar; Gajuwaka crime police arrested seven people in the steel-theft case.
- What
- The arrests concern alleged chain snatching and the alleged theft of copper and steel using forged identity cards.
- When
- The chain-snatching incident was reported on August 17; police said related offences occurred between March 2025 and August 2026, while the steel-theft timing was not specified.
- Where
- The incidents involved Visakhapatnam, including the Madhavadhara–Muralinagar area and Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, as well as other locations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
- Why
- Police allege that Singh targeted women for gold ornaments and that the seven-member gang used forged credentials to enter the steel plant and steal materials.
- Chain-snatching suspect
- Mahender Singh, 40, from Rajasthan
- Chain-snatching investigation
- Police said Singh was linked to 40 cases at 15 police stations across seven districts
- Additional arrest
- Mandru Latha Ratnakar, 52, was accused of helping dispose of stolen gold
- Gold-case recovery
- Two mangalsutra chains and Rs.5.55 lakh cash
- Steel-theft arrests
- Seven people were arrested by Gajuwaka crime police
- Steel-case recovery
- Approximately 300 kg of copper, five forged identity cards and two motorcycles
- Legal status
- The arrested people were produced before court and remanded to judicial custody