A 28-year-old Pannipitiya resident wanted in connection with a series of motorcycle thefts and gold chain snatchings from women has been arrested in Homagama, Newswire reported.
The Western Province (South) Divisional Criminal Investigation Division took the suspect into custody on Saturday following an operation based on information received, police said. He was found with 17 grams 800 milligrams of crystal methamphetamine — known locally as “ice” — at the time of the arrest.
The man is alleged to have carried out offences across several police divisions including Kottawa, Migoda, Mirihana, Maharagama, Homagama, Malabe and Grandpass.
Two stolen motorcycles and a stock of gold chains believed to be linked to the robberies were recovered during follow-up inquiries. The Western Province (South) Divisional CID is continuing the investigation.
The arrest follows the IGP’s island-wide directive last week ordering all police stations and the Criminal Investigation Department to escalate action against online fraud and street-level organised crime. Methamphetamine has featured prominently in this year’s Rata Ekata anti-narcotics operation, which has produced 156,456 arrests and seized 1,917kg of heroin since October 2025.
Source: Newswire — Suspect arrested over chain-snatching and motorcycle thefts in Colombo district.
