Two young men, including the son of a millionaire businessman from Panadura, have been arrested by the Piliyandala Police for allegedly snatching women’s handbags and mobile phones across several areas in Colombo.

One suspect had recently returned from Australia for a holiday, while the other is a resident of Panadura.

Police recovered over 20 mobile phones — including around 15 smartphones — estimated to be worth nearly Rs. 2.5 million. They also seized a motorcycle with fake number plates, two full-face helmets, two handbags, and 10,900 milligrams of heroin.

The suspects are reportedly heavily addicted to heroin, consuming up to 20 packets a day, and confessed during interrogation that they had been carrying out robberies over the past two months.

They were caught during a special police operation in Bokundara, after they failed to stop when signaled by officers. Police gave chase and apprehended them after blocking their path.

Investigations revealed that the duo had been targeting women walking home from work at night in areas including Boralesgamuwa, Mirihana, Borella, Athurugiriya, Thalangama, and Piliyandala.

They admitted to throwing stolen handbags into the Bolgoda River and remote forested areas after taking cash and valuables.

Some of the stolen phones had been dismantled and sold for parts to a mobile phone store in Moratuwa. Several dismantled phones were also found hidden in a bedroom at the millionaire’s residence.

The suspects, aged 25 and 26, will be produced before the Kesbewa Magistrate’s Court. Further investigations are underway. (Newswire)

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