Two men went on a stealing spree, breaking into seven shops, including the helmet shop of YouTuber TTF Vasan, and made off with cash, helmets, and mobile phones near Ayappakkam on Thursday night. They were armed with a machete and an iron rod.

On Friday morning, several shop owners discovered that the shutters of their shops had been broken open. After looking through CCTV footage, they identified the duo on a motorbike. The men first broke into a sweet stall, where they stole 50,000 after forcing open the cash box. They then entered a mobile phone service shop and stole two phones.

The thieves also took valuables from a fruit shop and a shoe shop before heading to TTF Vasan’s helmet store, where they made off with three expensive helmets. The entire time, they used their helmets to mask their faces.

Police registered a case and launched an investigation. Traders in the area have requested an increase in police patrols to prevent further incidents.

The traders said that the same duo targeted two other shops last week and police made no effort to nab them.