Government Railway Police, Perambur, on Wednesday arrested a 24-year-old habitual offender who allegedly snatched mobile phones from passengers travelling on suburban trains by using a stick to strike the devices from their hands before making away with them.

The accused, identified as Hari Babu of Old Washermanpet, is suspected to have been involved in more than 25 criminal cases. Police said he was linked to a series of mobile phone snatching incidents reported along the suburban railway stretch between Basin Bridge and Vyasarpadi stations.

According to investigators, Hari Babu lay in wait near the railway tracks and preyed on passengers using their mobile phones while standing near the doors or windows of moving electric trains. He allegedly used a stick to dislodge the phones from their hands, retrieved the fallen devices, and fled the spot before victims could react.

Police said the accused repeatedly employed the same modus operandi along the busy suburban rail corridor, exploiting passengers standing close to open doors and windows. Following a series of complaints, the Railway Police kept the affected stretch under surveillance and eventually apprehended the accused. Preliminary inquiries revealed that he has more than 25 criminal cases against him, including several property-related offences.

Published - July 22, 2026 07:26 pm IST