Mumbai: Colaba Police Station successfully cracked three cases of mobile phone theft that occurred on December 31, 2024, recovering 10 stolen mobile phones worth ₹1.87 lakhs.
The arrests were made under the guidance of DCP, Zone 1 Dr. Pravin Mundhe 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 is identified as Firoz Ibrahim Shaikh (40), He is Auto driver from Surat, Gujarat and another is Rafik Salim Shaikh (28), a Laborer from Surat, Gujarat.
Third accused identified as Juver Suleman Patel (32), a Driver from Surat, Gujarat and forth accused identified as Imad Latif (29), a Painter from Surat, Gujarat. All four accused are originally from Surat, Gujarat.
The police have Seized 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 Gateway of India on December 31, 2024.
Acting on leads, the team arrested two suspects are indentified as Santosh Mohan Shinde (50), an Auto driver from Ghatkopar and Farooq Shahawali Shaikh (30), an Auto driver from Ghatkopar.
From duo accused police have seized Motorola phone (₹27,000), Samsung phone (₹11,000), IQOO phone (₹10,000), Vivo phone (₹20,000).
In total, 10 phones worth ₹1.82 lakh were recovered. Two FIRs were registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
This prompt action by Colaba Police underscores their vigilance during high-footfall events like New Year’s Eve at the Gateway of India. Investigations continue to return all recovered phones to their rightful owners.
