Tue Jan 06 19:15:23 UTC 2026: Headline: Serial Impersonator Arrested After 15-Year Crime Spree in Tamil Nadu

The Story:
On January 6, 2026, the Mambalam Police in Chennai arrested a 61-year-old man named Bharathi for posing as a police inspector and robbing elderly people across multiple locations in Tamil Nadu for the past 15 years. Bharathi targeted vulnerable individuals near bus stands, falsely accusing them of drug-related offenses before stealing their jewelry and cash. His accomplice, Ravichandran, 54, who melted and sold the stolen jewelry, was also arrested.

Key Points:

  • Bharathi, 61, impersonated a police inspector to rob elderly people.
  • The crimes occurred over a 15-year period in areas including T. Nagar, Mambalam, Tambaram, Tiruvottiyur, Flower Bazaar, and Tindivanam.
  • Bharathi targeted individuals near bus stands, accusing them of ganja and drug sales.
  • Ravichandran, 54, a jeweler from Cuddalore district, aided Bharathi by melting and selling the stolen jewelry.
  • Police seized one sovereign of gold jewellery from Ravichandran’s house.

Key Takeaways:

  • The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly citizens to scams and impersonation crimes.
  • The arrest demonstrates the effectiveness of surveillance technology in tracing criminal activity.
  • The long duration of the crime spree underscores the challenges in detecting and apprehending repeat offenders.
  • The collaboration between the impersonator and the jeweler highlights the need to tackle the network of accomplices that aid in these crimes.

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