Salem:
A history-sheeter, who allegedly went on a chain-snatching spree besides committing other crimes here, reportedly to raise money for undergoing plastic surgery to avoid detection, was arrested in the city on Tuesday, police said.
Police, who were keeping strict vigil following a spate of crimes and chain-snatching incidents in the city, nabbed 33-year-old-man during a vehicle check.
Salem city Police Deputy Commisioner Ravindran said there were more than 30 cases registered against the accused in Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and other districts and he had come out of the Salem central prison recently.
A doctor had advised plastic surgery to remove the scars on the face and he was committing the crimes to raise money for the surgery to avoid detection by police, police said, adding he was married and had three children.
Police recovered gold ornaments weighing 33.5 gold coins and Rs 19,500.