Mysuru: Taking advantage of the large crowd that had come for the darshan of Goddess Chamundeshwari on the Second Ashada Shukravara yesterday, four pickpockets were found trying their hands on the devotees. They were arrested by Police.

The pickpockets were targeting the devotees who were climbing the steps to reach the hill temple and as it was an auspicious day, many devotees chose the steps route rather than the usual road. The criminals mixed easily with the crowd and were seen picking the purses and wallets of devotees. They were also snatching mobile phones.

After snatching the wallets, the pickpockets were seen quickly passing them on to their accomplices who were standing at a distance. Seeing this, Police who were deployed in mufti, caught hold of four pickpockets and were taken to Krishnaraja Police Station where the arrest formalities were completed.

On interrogation, the pickpockets revealed that they were habitual offenders and usually target devotees who throng the temple during festivals.