A 39-year-old woman pickpocket, known for stealing purses from commuters in buses and suburban trains and wanted in more than 30 theft cases, was arrested on Friday. 

The city police said Radhika, 47, a resident of Karambakkam near Porur, had boarded a government bus (route no. 37) at the Vadapalani bus terminus to go to the private company where she worked. On reaching her office, she received a text message stating that ₹13,800 had been withdrawn using her ATM card. She immediately checked her handbag and discovered that her wallet containing the ATM card and other identity documents was missing.

Based on her complaint, the Valasaravakkam crime branch police, led by Inspector Rajan, scrutinised the CCTV footage of the nearby ATM, and identified ‘Jolarpettai’ Sathya as the perpetrator.

Sathya, from Kundrathur, has been involved in more than 30 cases of thefts. She boarded crowded buses during the morning peak hours and targeted people heading to work. After stealing their wallets, she would flee to her hometown, Jolarpettai.

Published - July 24, 2026 06:56 pm IST