An 11-year-old boy’s courage prevented a robbery at his house and led to the arrest of the thief in Virar on Tuesday afternoon. Abdul Sheikh (55) was nabbed by the residents of Tapovan Esate society and handed over to the police after the boy raised an alarm.
According to the Virar police, Tanish Mahadik was alone at home, and the door was latched from inside when the incident occurred. “Around 12.30 p.m. Mr. Sheikh knocked on the door, claiming to be an electrician, and barged inside as soon as Tanish opened the door. He threatened the boy with dire consequences if he made a sound,” an officer said.
As Tanish sat on the floor in fear, Mr. Sheikh opened the cupboard in the living room and started taking out gold jewellery from inside. “When the boy saw his mother’s necklace in Mr. Sheikh’s hand, he approached the accused and tried to snatch it. Mr. Sheikh threatened him again and was on the verge of stepping out with jewellery worth ₹1.37 lakh when Tanish’s mother returned,” the officer said.
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On seeing his mother, the boy, shouted out to her that the man was a robber His mother, Divya, then pounced on the man and held on to his bag. The trio proceeded to the first floor from the second floor like this, screaming for help. The commotion alerted other residents, who rushed forward to help, as Ms. Mahadik fell down and sustained injuries in the scuffle, the police said.
“The residents overpowered Mr. Shiekh and tied him with a rope, after which they informed us. We sent a team and arrested him, and he has confessed to having committed similar crimes in other localities as well,” sub-inspector Ranjitsingh Pardeshi said.
Mr. Sheikh has been charged with charged with assault and robbery under the Indian Penal Code.
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