Mumbai: The Thane Crime Branch has arrested seven people for allegedly robbing employees of private establishments carrying cash.
The Unit II of the Crime Branch observed a rise in the number of robberies on the highway to Kolhapur passing thorough Bhiwandi. “We examined CCTV footage, made inquiries with local informants, and learned that the gang behind the robberies was based in Kamatghar, Bhiwandi. We picked up one accused, identified as Vijay Nayar, who confessed to committing robberies along with his accomplices,” a Crime Branch officer said.
The officer said Mr. Nayar’s interrogation led the investigating team to six other accused, identified as Kunal Ghule, Shivganesh Tevar, Dilshad Ansari, Ganesh Vemula, Ashwin Dange and Arun Aursang. All the accused were picked up in Bhiwandi and Ichalkaranji, Kolhapur.
“The accused would rob employees of money transfer agencies, jewellery manufacturing units, wine shops and handloom workshops, who would frequently carry large amounts of cash for their employers. They would identify targets based on their regular movements, and would choose targets travelling on motorbikes. They would pick a desolate spot on the highway and lay a trap, after which they would intercept the targets, assault them, and decamp with their money,” Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Makarand Ranade, Thane police, said.
The accused have allegedly confessed to have committed 11 offences over the last two years. The police have seized ₹37,000 in demonetised currency notes, ₹28,000 in new denominations, and a laptop from the accused.
In another operation, the unit II of the Crime Branch arrested a history-sheeter, identified as Hujju Ali Jafri, who is alleged to be involved in 14 cases of chain-snatching in Bhiwandi. Gold chains worth ₹6.90 lakh were recovered.
