Chain snatcher arrested in Pratapgarh

Prayagraj: A criminal wanted in many chain snatching cases was injured and arrested in a police encounter in Pratapgarh late on Sunday night. The police seized a country-made pistol of 0.315 bore, one used and one live cartridge, cash worth Rs 3,830 and a bike from the accused, Satish Patel. He was admitted to the district hospital for treatment. The criminal was also carrying Rs 25,000 cash reward on his head. Police said that the accused, along with his accomplice, had executed a chain snatching incident targeting teachers of GGIC, Sheetalmau and primary school Puranpur Khajoor village in last week.A joint team of Lalganj and Leelapur police were conducting checks near Babuganj, Puranpur Khajoor turn when they noticed a suspicious man on a motorcycle. The cops signalled him to stop, but he tried to escape. However, when the police team surrounded him, he opened fire. The cops retaliated, resulting in injuries on his both legs.Police said Patel, a resident of Maheshganj village of Pratapgarh, has seven criminal cases pending against him in the district. tnn