Chennai: Five people, including two women, were arrested for stealing grocery items and valuables from supermarkets and showrooms using specially-stitched skirts with concealed pockets. Police said the gang had been evading arrest for more than five years.The arrested were identified as Lakshmi alias Dhanalakshmi, 50, and Nagammal alias Nagu, 70, of Theni; Murugan, 58, of Madurai; Mudharsir, 40, of Vellore; and Karan Kumar, 25, of Madurai.

Police said the arrests followed complaints from two branches of a supermarket on sixth avenue and third avenue in Anna Nagar. CCTV footage showed the women posing as customers and hiding tea powder, oil packets, and other groceries in their clothing before walking out without paying.Anna Nagar police registered two theft cases. Police found that the gang threatened a man with a knife and robbed him of 2,500 in the same area.