Three held for mobile phone snatching in Kanchanbagh; 10 devices seized
HYDERABAD: Kanchanbagh police arrested three habitual offenders involved in mobile phone snatching and recovered 10 stolen devices along with a two-wheeler, officials said on April 19, 2026.
The arrests followed a complaint by Syed Nazeer Ahmed, 59, who reported that his Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 mobile phone, worth ₹30,000, was snatched on April 15 at around 09.30 IST near DMRL X Road.
Ahmed told police he had purchased a tiffin parcel from Jai Bhavani Tiffin Centre and was returning home when two persons on a motorcycle approached from behind and snatched the phone from his shirt pocket.
Case registered, investigation leads to arrests
Police registered a case (FIR No. 78/2026) under Section 304 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Kanchanbagh police station and began an investigation.
On April 19, police apprehended three accused identified as Ambata Naresh alias Kavati Naresh, Banala Arun Kumar alias Nani, and Mekala Chiranjeevi alias Chiru. Officials said the accused were involved in multiple theft cases across Hyderabad and other districts.
Modus operandi involved targeting distracted victims
According to police, the main accused targeted elderly and distracted individuals. He created a diversion while accomplices kept watch and assisted in executing the snatching.
On April 15, Naresh and an associate, Vasanth (absconding), allegedly identified the victim near the tiffin centre. While Naresh drove the motorcycle, Vasanth snatched the phone. The other two accused kept watch from a distance.
Police said further interrogation revealed the involvement of additional persons, and teams have been formed to trace them.
Seized property and police action
Police recovered 10 mobile phones and a Yamaha two-wheeler from the accused. The arrests were made under the supervision of ACP Chandrayangutta A. Sudhakar and led by SHO J. Balaraju along with SI K. Raju and the crime staff.
The accused have been produced before a court for judicial remand.
