Two held for stealing phones from sleeping truck drivers in Madhavaram

The Chennai police have arrested two men for allegedly stealing mobile phones from truck drivers while they slept in their vehicles in Madhavaram. The arrests came after a series of complaints from drivers who reported their phones missing during overnight halts.

How the thefts were carried out

The accused would patrol stretches where trucks are parked for the night. They targeted drivers who had left their windows open or their phones visible inside the cabin. According to police, the suspects would quietly reach in and swipe the phones without waking the driver.

Most thefts occurred between midnight and early morning. The drivers often do not notice the loss until they wake up. By then, the suspects had already vanished.

Investigation and arrests

Police analysed complaint patterns and identified a stretch near Madhavaram where several thefts had been reported. They placed plainclothes officers in the area. On a tip-off, they intercepted two men acting suspiciously near a parked truck.

During questioning, the suspects confessed to multiple thefts. They led officers to a hideout where 25 mobile phones were recovered. The phones are estimated to be worth around Rs 2 lakh. Police said the accused would sell the phones to second-hand dealers in other parts of the city.

Background of the accused

Both men are residents of Madhavaram and have prior records of petty crime. Police are investigating if they are part of a larger network that targets truck drivers. Officials have not yet confirmed if more arrests are expected.

Truck drivers in the area have often complained about the lack of secure parking. Many are forced to park on the roadside due to the shortage of dedicated truck terminals. This makes them vulnerable to theft.

What the police say

A senior police officer said such crimes are taken seriously as mobile phones contain critical data and contact numbers for drivers. “Losing a phone can disrupt their work and leave them stranded,” the officer added. The police have urged drivers to lock their cabins and keep valuables out of sight.

The accused have been remanded in judicial custody. The investigation is ongoing.

What happens next

Police are expected to question the accused further to identify the buyers of the stolen phones. They are also working with truckers' associations to spread awareness about safety measures. The drive to crack down on such thefts in the area is likely to continue.