Hyderabad: Police arrested three women for allegedly stealing handbags from shoppers at a crowded vegetable market, officials said. SHO K.V. Subbarao stated that the suspects were taken into custody and later sent to remand.

Loppeti Nagamani from Moosapet in Pragatinagar reported on January 17 that her handbag, containing Rs 40,000 in cash, was stolen on the night of January 13 while she was buying vegetables. Investigations led officers to Y Junction on Tuesday morning, where they found three women behaving suspiciously.

The suspects were identified as Bandari Shalini (34) from Fathenagar, Gambhu Maheshwari (43), and Uppu Sarita (38) from Sanathnagar. Police said the women targeted crowded areas and fairs to commit thefts. Investigators recovered Rs 1,500 in cash from the accused.

The SHO advised women visiting markets, malls, and other crowded places to remain vigilant about their bags and cash. Authorities are continuing investigations to determine if the trio is involved in other theft cases across Hyderabad.