Mumbai: Colaba Police Station successfully cracked three cases of mobile phone theft that occurred on December 31, 2024, recovering 10 stolen mobile phones worth ₹1.82 lakh. The arrests were made under the guidance of DCP Zone 1 and Senior Police Inspector Swati Pethkar.
On December 31, 2024, complainant Lijo Oman (25), a resident of Fort, Mumbai, reported that his Apple iPhone 14 worth ₹55,000 was stolen near Gokul Warden Shop, behind the Taj Hotel. A grey-shirted suspect took the phone from his jeans pocket.
The detection team, led by API Dnyaneshwar Kandekar and PSI Vijay Gawde, reviewed CCTV footage and identified four suspects. A vigilant patrol in the Colaba area led to their arrest. The accused were identified as Firoz Ibrahim Shaikh (40), an auto driver from Surat, Gujarat; Rafik Salim Shaikh (28), a laborer from Surat, Gujarat; Juver Suleman Patel (32), a driver from Surat, Gujarat; and Imad Latif (29), a painter from Surat, Gujarat.
The police have seized an Apple iPhone 14 (₹55,000), OnePlus phone (₹20,000), Vivo phone (₹18,000), Redmi phone (₹13,000), Lenovo phone (₹7,000), and Samsung phone (₹6,000). Two phones were returned to their rightful owners. Investigations are underway to locate the owners of the remaining four phones.
Another complainant, Bhaskar Popatlal Parekh (68), reported the theft of his Samsung A1 phone worth ₹11,000 while visiting the Gateway of India on December 31, 2024. Acting on leads, the team arrested two suspects, identified as Santosh Mohan Shinde (50), an auto driver from Ghatkopar, and Farooq Shahawali Shaikh (30), an auto driver from Ghatkopar. From the duo, police have seized a Motorola phone (₹27,000), Samsung phone (₹11,000), IQOO phone (₹10,000), and Vivo phone (₹20,000). A total of 10 mobile phones worth ₹1.82 lakh have been recovered. Two FIRs have been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
The swift action by Colaba Police highlights their vigilance during crowded events, such as New Year’s Eve at the Gateway of India. Efforts are ongoing to trace the remaining complainants and return their stolen property.
