Released on COVID bail, bike thief back in prison

The accused, R Gajendran, a Sri Lankan refugee of Thenpallipattu camp in Tiruvannamalai district, used to ride horses with visitors at Marina Beach for a living. Recently, he started indulging in vehicle thefts to make some quick bucks and was arrested by Taramani police.

While lodged as a trial accused in the Central Prison, Puzhal, he was released on March 26 as part of the measures by the Prison authorities to reduce the risk of inmates getting infected by the virus.

Gajendran, upon his release, did not have any money for food and decided to steal a bike again, said the police.

On Friday night, he stole a two-wheeler from the parking lot of Chepauk MRTS station. The guard, upon noticing it, raised an alarm but in vain. He immediately alerted the railway police and a case was registered at Tiruvanmiyur railway police station.

Meanwhile, Gajendran was intercepted by police on patrol at Anna Salai on Friday night and the vehicle was impounded after he gave contradictory replies. Investigation revealed that the bike was a stolen one and he was handed over to Tiruvanmiyur railway police. He was produced before the magistrate and remanded in judicial custody on Saturday.