They tried to grease their way out every time they were caught, but luck finally ran out for six members of the ‘Chaddi baniyan’ gang of burglars in the city’s suburbs.
Panvel city police arrested the six, who came to known for their method: wearing briefest of clothes - just briefs and vests - during their house break-ins, and oiling themselves to wriggle out of anyone’s grasp. After they were caught, police recovered 18 tolas gold from them.
Mahesh Dhanraj Salunkhe (28), Dinkar Gopal Kale (30), Sunitha Mohan Chavan (50), Gori Mahesh Salunkhe (24), Manish alias Rajesh Mohan Chavan (32) and Sagar Ankush Chavan (20), all residents of Sector 19, Kamothe, are accused of a series of house break-ins.
Originally from Ahmednagar and Madhya Pradesh, the group sold cutlery at traffic signals or fairs by day and allegedly broke into houses at night. The main accused among the gang members, Chavan, landed in custody in August and the others subsequently.
“Chavan travelled to various places and formed a new gang at each place for the burglaries. Two more members of his Navi Mumbai gang are wanted,” Police sub-inspector Sunil Tarmale of Panvel City Police Station said. The gang was active in Navi Mumbai between April and June and is thought to be involved in several thefts.
Chavan was sentenced to 10 years in prison for dacoity and house break-ins in Pune. The gang travelled with their families including wife and children and stayed in tents. “Whenever questioned, they would give false names and pose as cutlery salesmen,” Mr. Tarmale said. Using informers, police got their true names and aadhar card information. The Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act has been invoked against the six accused.
