Law traps 235 pickpockets

Sandasen Marasinghe

*SAARC Gold Medalist among suspects

*Six leaders in custody

*Gypsy men, women involved in racket

Six men directing pickpockets and another 229 members were arrested in Colombo during the current festive season. This is the first time that such a large number of criminals involved in pickpocketing in Colombo were arrested in a short period, Police said.

Among the gang was a SAARC Gold Medalist. He had allegedly been addicted to heroin and subsequently joined the criminals. The Colombo Crime Division (CCD) said around 20 gypsy women and men with children were among the suspects.

The gypsy women had trained the children to pick pockets, the Police said.

The Police said that today one cannot identify pickpockets by appearance or attire.

“They may mingle among the crowd as well dressed men and women or elderly citizens,” Police said. The Police also said that some private bus conductors support these pickpocket gangs and get their share at the end of the day. The Police also found that some pickpockets operate in gangs and they pass the picked wallets within a split second.

Police arrested pickpocket gang leaders known as Waiya, Suda, Kira, Mega, Samee and Junta since the Special Operation was initiated on December 3, 2010.

IGP Mahinda Balasuriya directed the Police to initiate this special operation on the instructions of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

The operation was conducted in Central Colombo, Colombo North and Colombo South by the CCD under the guidance of CCD OIC Chief Inspector Hemantha Dikovita on the instructions of CCD Director SP D R L Ranaweera and DIG Anura Senanayake.

The Police said that these gangs mainly operate at Sangarajah Mawatha, Maradana, Mount Lavinia and Piliyandala. Police added that the operation will continue.