Trio responsible for 38 break-ins at shops in the western suburbs used to steal two bikes before each one to use as getaway vehicles before dumping or selling them
Trio responsible for 38 break-ins at shops in the western suburbs used to steal two bikes before each one to use as getaway vehicles before dumping or selling them
u00a0
Au00a0gang believed to be responsible for a whopping 38 break-ins at shops in the western suburbs was caught in the act at a jewellery shop in Khar.
u00a0
Representation Pic/Thinkstock
Its ingenious methodology included stealing two bikes before every theft to use as getaway vehicles and then dumping them in an isolated part of the city.
The accused Abdul Sheikh (27), Sheru Qureshi (20) and Abhaylal alias Monu Motilal Saroj (25) were arrested by the special squad of the western suburbs when they were trying to break into Mamaji Jewellers in Khar late on Thursday night.
During initial interrogation, the accused revealed that they committed the thefts at night and stole motorcycles before every break-in.
They used to carry a sack with them which they used to fill to the brim with loot and then make off on the bikes, which were later dumped or sold.
They also said that they had different kinds of tools, which ensured that they could get into any shop they chose.
The men had carried out a break-in at FOC Watches and Co in Amboli and left with expensive watches worth Rs 20 lakh. A few days later, they had targeted a cellphone shop in Khar and stolen cellphones worth Rs 8 lakh.
"We have recovered 54 cellphones, five expensive watches and two stolen motorbikes from them.
We have also found tools used for break-ins along with a dagger, which Shaikh and Qureshi would hide in specially-designed pockets of their trousers," said Additional Commissioner of Police (Western region) Vishwas Nangre Patil.
"The accused have been booked under Sections 399 (Making preparation to commit dacoity) and 402 (Assembling for purpose of committing dacoity) of the Indian Penal Code and 37 (1) of the Mumbai Police Act," said Patil.
A senior police officer said they had come close to nabbing Shaikh five times in the past, but he would lash out at cops with his dagger.
Targeted
Number of thefts committed by the gang in:
Bandra:4
Khar:7
Santacruz:3
Vakola:4
D N Nagar:2u00a0
Oshiwara:3
Amboli:3u00a0
Andheri:3u00a0
Jogeshwari:2u00a0
Kherwadi:1
Malad:3u00a0
Goregaon:3
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
