Mumbai crime: 7 arrested in Mulund robbery; six weapons, 3 cars seized

The incident occurred on the afternoon of February 2, when four armed men barged into VP Enterprises, an angadia office at Paanch Rasta, Mulund West. Pics/ Rajesh Gupta

Seven persons were arrested in connection with the Mulund robbery, where the armed men had barged into an angadia office and robbed Rs 70 lakh at gunpoint. The police have recovered six weapons, 27 bullets and three cars from the accused.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of February 2, when four armed men barged into VP Enterprises, an angadia office at Paanch Rasta, Mulund West. The robbers looted Rs 70 lakh and fled in a car.

2 robbers were in car, others took auto

Around 12 teams were formed by Joint Commissioner (law and order) Vishwas Nangre-Patil to solve the case.

The police suspected a mole in the office who shared information with the robbers.

"We first traced the car that had arrived at the spot, but that led us to Nashik. We realised that we were going after the wrong person. The same happened with the second car spotted. Hence we were sceptical while tracing the third car," an officer probing the case said.

"The suspected third vehicle was seen roaming in Mumbai for a couple of hours, giving us a strong notion that the occupants were the robbers," he added.

During the investigation, cops found that the robbers, after looting money, headed to Powai. Later, they took a U-turn and drove to Vashi, Kharghar and went towards Badlapur. When their arrival journey was traced by the police, they realised only two robbers came by car, while others had come by an autorickshaw to Mulund from Airoli.

CCTV footage of armed men barging into the angadia office and robbing Rs 70 lakh at gunpoint on February 2.

"Our team traced the suspected car and arrested Manoj Kalan, 32 and Nilesh Chavhan, 34, the owner of the car. Chavhan worked as a salesman on a construction site at Panvel, while Kalan was a driver who ferried buyers from Badlapur to Panvel," said the officer.

Another accused Nilesh Surve, 23, who was a painter, came in contact with Chavhan. He wanted to earn money fast to set up a clothing shop. All of them got in touch with Washiullah Choudhary, 42, who did recee of places to carry out thefts.

After the plan was hatched by Chavhan and Choudhary, they contacted Bipin Kumar Singh alias Monu, 34, an Uttar Pradesh- based gangster. Two more persons - Ratnesh Singh, 25, and Dilip Singh, 23 - were roped in to form the team.

All have been arrested by the Mumbai Police. Cops have seized four pistols, two country-made pistols, 27 rounds and three cars from the accused.

Twice failed, succeeded the third time

Choudhary, the mastermind of the plan, had brought all the men to SV Enterprises on January 25, to carry out the theft. However, their plan failed. They arrived the next day but found the office closed. Disappointed with Choudhary's planning, Chavhan was made the team leader.

An insider from the angadia service had tipped Choudhary about Rs 3-4 crore cash kept at the office. The insider had even informed them to rob on Saturday or Monday to get maximum money. However, the team decided to carry out a robbery on Wednesday, February 2. The gang managed to get Rs 70 lakh.

Three hour drive to misguide cops

After robbing the office, the accused went around Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane area for three hours to misguide cops. The accused changed their attire before reaching toll naka to avoid getting spotted by the CCTV camera.