Kollam: An Iranian couple who snatched money from a shop at Kundara here have been caught and handed over to the police.
They have been identified as Amir Kamiabi (27) and his wife Nasrin Kamiar.
The incident took place at around 2.30 pm on Sunday. The couple, who arrived in a car bearing Delhi registration, initially bought soap from one Yasim Traders. They then asked for change for Rs 2,000. While the shop owner was taking out money from his wallet, they snatched the wallet and fled.
Local residents caught them after a chase and handed them over to the police. As police found several grocery items from the couple's car, they suspect the duo could have committed similar crimes at other places using the same ruse.
The police said that the inspection of the travel and other documents didn't indicate anything amiss. They were questioned by a team led by Kottarakkara DySP Nasirudin. Their travel documents and passport will be checked and the duo grilled with the help of a translator.
The couple told the cops that they had arrived in Chennai for medical treatment and that they are on a trip in the car owned by their friend in Delhi. But the police didn't find their version credible. Rs 1,500 and US dollars 1.5 lakh were also found in their possession.
The couple were presented in the court on Monday night itself and remanded. Rural SP Harishankar said that they will seek the custody of the couple for detailed questioning.
