MALE, Jan 16 (HNS) – Two people who tried to escape on a motorcycle with a handbag snatched from a person on the street has crashed into a car, seriously injuring one of the thieves.

Two thieves snatched the handbag Sunday evening from a woman who was going on her way near People’s Majlis. They drove by the woman, snatched her bag and drove off.

The driver, Addu atoll Hithadhoo Niyandhurumaage Hussain Shiyaz, crashed into a car coming out of the street because he drove without stopping at the traffic light near Medhuziyaarai.

Maldives Police Service said Sunday that because of the accident the thieves were unable to take the handbag. Police said that the handbag did not contain valuable items.

Police said that Shiyaz’s head was busted open because of the collision and that he had suffered other injuries as well.

According to police the motorcycle used to commit the crime was badly damaged in the aftermath of the accident. Police said that the person who was in the back seat of the motorcycle escaped when it hit the car.

Another snatching incident also took place Sunday.

A handbag containing Rf 35,000 held by a woman who was walking on Radhebaimagu was snatched by thieves on a motorcycle. This incident took place in the morning hours.

Citing the woman, police said that the money she had was money kept to pay house rent and money sent by her father to buy a motorcycle.

Police said that they are searching for the thieves and the stolen money.