The 30-year-old history-sheeter from Sahakarnagar is now cooling his heels at the Swargate lock-up. He has been remanded to police custody till November 25 and is under interrogation.

The 19-year-old student of SNDT College, a resident of Swanand Housing Society in Sahakarnagar, was returning home after a brief morning walk with her mother around 6.15 am on Monday when the chain-snatcher caught up with them.

Police sub-inspector Abdul Nadaf said Manjula and her mother were engrossed in conversation while walking past the Aranyeshwar temple when Adagale went a little ahead of them. Minutes later, he returned to snatch Manjula's gold chain and fled.

Manjula gathered her wits and began chasing Adagale. The chain-snatcher entered an alley and hid behind the compound wall of a bungalow. However, he was spotted by thegirl, who had started combing the area with the help of Pandurang Sangolkar (48), a resident of Aranyeshwar, who was vending milk in the vicinity.

The duo took him to the Swargate police station and handed him over to the police. PSI Nadaf said Adagale has several serious crimes against his name, including the abduction and rape of a young girl.