KOCHI: A woman and her daughter, who were taken into custody recently for allegedly snatching the gold chain of an old woman, had committed half a dozen robbery in recent times.

The modus operandi is they will tactfully snatch the chain of their prey and manage to escapade from the spot. If ever they are caught, they will fell at feet of their prey and seek apology.

The arrested persons are North Paravur Peruvaram Arakkaprambil house resident Jiji (55) and daughter Vismaya (23). Last Friday, they had reached the house of the 84-year-old woman, seeking some help. Suddenly they snatched the chain of the granny and escaped from the place.

Elamakkara police reached the house of the thieves at 9.45 am on Sunday and took the accused into custody. Three robbery attempts were made by the women in Kochi recently. Though the locals caught them red handed, they cried, pleaded for mercy and escaped from the scene by using ‘crying’ technique.

It is known that the women carried out the theft with the silent permission of their husbands.They went from house to ask, saying that their children were not well and they needed financial help.

They or focussed on houses with home-alone old women. Vismaya will talk like a mentally ill girl and will demand for costly materials. If they are not given anything they snatch gold chains and will run away, according to the police.

Police said that Vismaya had no mental illness. Soon after news about them started appearing in newspapers, the police began to search for them and found out their house. The old woman also identified the gold snatchers.

They were taken into custody by Elamakkara SI PT Bijoy, SI Prem Kumar, ASI Raghunandan, Rakesh, Rakesh and WCPO Beena.