It was a small but “kind” lead that helped the crime branch unit (Zone III) attached to the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar (MBVV) police in cracking a blind robbery case which was reported from Vasai on 26, March. The auto-rickshaw which was used in the crime had the word “Dayavan” (kind) written in Hindi on the rear side. According to the police, the break-in was reported from Ali Akbar Thandawala’s (34) fourth floor apartment in Silent Park building located in the Bhabola Naka area of Vasai.
Unidentified thieves decamped with a booty of Rs. 9.22 lakh including Rs.4 lakh cash and gold ornaments after breaking into the apartment between 6:40 pm to 9 pm when the family had gone to offer prayers at a nearby mosque.
A team led by police inspector- Shahuraj Ranaware and API-Suhas Kamble under the supervision of DCP (crime) – Avinash Ambure scanned footage captured by around 300 closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed in the vicinity of the building and possible getaway routes. The team spotted two suspects getting into an auto-rickshaw near the crime scene.
However, the images of the registration number were hazy, but the word “Dayavan” written in Hindi on the rear side was clearly visible. Armed with the only clue, the police personnel fanned the entire Vasai-Virar belt to trace the auto-rickshaw and learnt that the vehicle belonged to a driver in Nallasopara. However, he was untraceable. The police checked the call data records (CDR) of the driver and found a suspicious mobile number which was switched-off after activating (for a few seconds) only once in Andheri. After checking CCTV cameras installed at railway stations, the police spotted one of the suspects leaving the Mumbai Central police station.
With a hunch that the suspect would arrive again to board a train to leave the city, the police personnel laid a trap by disguising themselves as porters, passengers and shoe-polishers. After a wait of nearly eight hours, the team arrested Mushir Salim Khan (40), following which his accomplice identified as-Imran Usman Shaikh (34) was nabbed from Andheri.
“Both seem to be habitual offenders. So far we have ascertained their involvement in eight offences committed by them in various parts of Mumbai.” said an investigating officer.
An offence under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita for house-trespass and theft has been registered at the Vasai police station against the duo who have been remanded to custody. However, the auto-rickshaw driver is still absconding. Further investigations were on.
