Moratuwa Headquarters police arrested a suspect wanted in connection with the stealing of motorbikes and snatching gold necklaces of women by intimidating them by using machetes at different Police areas, yesterday.
It was reported that he was arrested while the police were in the hunt of a group of criminals who had been stealing bikes in the Nugegoda, Panadura and Kalutara areas and engaging in snatching of gold necklaces in the Maharagama, Malambe, Boralesgamuwa, Bandaragama, Millaniya, Thebuwana, Kesbewa and Mt. Lavinia Police areas using those bikes.
Moratuwa police have been able to recover 19 snatched gold necklaces pawned by the suspects and more are to be recovered, Police said.
The 46-year-old suspect is a resident of Wadduwa area and more suspects are to be arrested in connection with these crimes, Police said. The arrested suspect was to be produced before the court.
Police informed the women who were victims of these crimes to visit the Moratuwa police and provide the information requested to identify the necklaces snatched from them by these criminals.
The Police Spokesman said they have launched a three-month long operation from May 1 to nab the organised criminals who engage in stealing vehicles, snatching gold necklaces and engage in burglaries.
Lahiru Fernando
