The Anti-Robbery Dacoity Cell of the Mumbai Police Crime Branch has arrested two robbers who would allegedly prowl the streets looking for people travelling alone late at night and rob them of their valuables at gunpoint. The police said that they were responsible for ten such cases in Mumbai and 25 in Navi Mumbai and Thane.
According to Crime Branch officers, the accused have been identified as Pravin Helkar (37) and Suresh Singh (28). Both are history sheeters, said officers.
“Cases of late-night commuters travelling alone being robbed by two men at gunpoint were on the rise over the last few weeks, and we received a tip off about the identity and whereabouts of the culprits. We nabbed two accused from near Mulund checkpost on Saturday,” said a Crime Branch officer. He added, “The duo would hail an autorickshaw or taxi in the afternoon and drive around till late night. Once the crowd thinned, they would pick out lone pedestrians and would force him inside the taxi or auto. While one would rob the target, the other ensured the driver didn't stop. The duo would then push the victim out of the vehicle, make the driver take them some more distance ahead and flee on foot.”
