Cops disguised as delivery boys nab chain snatcher from Vikhroli

As soon as the accused was nabbed, locals gheraoed the police. A cop then, had to send an SOS

Vinoba Bhave Nagar cops have arrested a chain snatcher from Vikhroli while unearthing several cases of chain snatching across Mumbai and Thane.

On December 20, 49-year-old Sunanda Gutekar was crossing the road at Kamani, Kurla (W), when bike borne snatchers snatched her 10 gram golden chain. An offence was registered in VB Nagar police station. Senior Inspector Rajesh Pawar had formed a dedicated team under the guidance of DCP (zone 5) Pranay Ashok and led by detection officer Police Sub Inspector Padmakar Patil.

Cops started checking CCTV footage from before and after the incident and zeroed down on the location of the accused through the number of the bike.

Cops were deputed in the area as delivery boys and security guards at 3 am to find the bike used for the crime. The accused were found living near Pankesha Baba Dargah in Vikhroli. "When we concluded that we had zeroed down the residence of the accused, we deputed 4 cops to find out the exact house of the accused. PSI Patil immediately rushed and nabbed one of the accused while the other one managed to run away," said Rajesh Pawar, Senior Inspector VB Nagar Police station.

As soon as the accused was nabbed, locals gheraoed the police. A cop raised an SOS alarm and informed VB Nagar police. Diwakar Shelke, Senior Inspector of Parksite police station rushed for help with men and brought the situation under control.

"10 to 15 women were trying to shield the accused, we managed to keep one accused on our site and when additional help arrived we nabbed him and took him to the police station," said PSI Patil. The accused was identified as Faizal Ali Yusuf Ali Sheikh Irani (27). Cops are trying to find the other accused.

After the arrest of Faizal, cops have detected 9 offenses of chain snatching from 2011, registered in Thane and Mumbai.