Theft cases reported at frequent intervals from different parts of Ernakulam district over the past few months have raised security concerns. At least 10 cases, varying in method and scale, have attracted public attention during the period.
The latest incident heightened public safety concerns after a man lost his right thumb while attempting to foil a chain-snatching bid at Pathalam in Eloor on Thursday night (September 3). Saleem K.A., 62, was severely injured by an unidentified man who allegedly tried to snatch his daughter-in-law’s gold chain. The police are yet to nab the accused.
Earlier this month, the Railway Police arrested three Assam natives in connection with alleged robberies at the Aluva and Angamaly railway stations on August 28 and 30. The police recovered ₹40,000 in cash, four mobile phones and six sovereigns of gold from their possession.
In July, the Hill Palace police nabbed Jijo Babu, 39, a native of Malayattoor, for allegedly stealing a woman’s mobile phone. The police said he was a serial offender accused in several theft cases and that his modus operandi involved targeting women boarding crowded buses. In June, the Kuruppampady police arrested another alleged serial offender, Kollam native Babu A., following the alleged theft of ₹15,000, a mobile phone and a tablet from a shop at Pulluvazhi.
While the cases reported from the city and its suburbs involved the theft of cash, gold and other valuables, at least three buffaloes were reported stolen from the Paravur region in August.
The police, meanwhile, said theft cases were reported only occasionally and that most were minor incidents.
“The theft of electrical items, including copper wires and wiring fixtures, from construction sites is among the cases reported recently. The police have been conducting intensive patrols in vulnerable areas and monitoring habitual offenders. Of late, the presence of shadow police personnel has also been increased in vulnerable areas,” a senior city police officer said.
Published – September 06, 2026 02:06 pm IST
