Thane city DCP (Traffic) Rashmi Karandikar said in a release issued here today that constable Santosh Surve was managing traffic at the busy Teen Hath Naka.
It was at about 6.30 pm last evening, when two people snatched the mobile phone of one Sagar Santosh Kesarkar and began fleeing the scene, taking advantage of the busy traffic there.
After Kesarkar raised an alarm, the traffic constable got alerted and chased the duo.
Later, the Wagle Estate police registered an offence under Section 379 and Section 511 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, against those accused.
The presence of mind as well as swift action by the constable has been recognised and he has been given a Rs 5,000 cash reward.