Man snatches 18 phones in a day, nabbed

The accused, Balaji (22) of Washermenpet, was remanded in judicial custody on Monday, while a hunt has been launched for his accomplice. Balaji was nabbed by public when he snatched a mobile phone from a pedestrian in front of a star hotel in Teynampet on Sunday night and handed over to Teynampet police. But his accomplice managed to escape from the spot. Investigation revealed that Balaji and his friend went on a snatching spree since Sunday morning and relieved lone women and senior citizens of their phones at deserted places in Ennore, Sathangadu, Tiruvottiyur, Washermenpet and Flower Bazaar before reaching Anna Salai at the end of the day.