Cops chase history-sheeter who robbed man's phone in SoBo, arrest him

The accused Noor Islam Saiful Shaikh.

The Marine Drive police arrested a 24-year-old history-sheeter for stealing a man's mobile phone on Sunday evening.

According to the police, the accused Noor Islam Saiful Shaikh has similar offences registered against him at the police station and often visits the stretch to commit crimes, especially during weekends.

"On Sunday, Jeevan Beniwal came to Marine Drive with his girlfriend. When the two reached Catholic Gymkhana, Shaikh accosted them and tried to steal the man's mobile phone. When Beniwal protested, Shaikh pushed him away and fled," said an officer from Marine Drive police station.

However, he said, Beniwal's friend screamed for help and the police officers deployed at Kaiwalyadham police chowkie were alarmed and they started to chase him.

"After chasing Shaikh for nearly 100 metres, he was nabbed and booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)," the police officer added.

Mrityunjay Hiremath, senior inspector of Marine Drive police station, said, "Shaikh is a history-sheeter who has committed similar offences registered at our police station. He is accused in six cases including robbery and theft and we will taking action against him."

The officer said that Shaikh would target couples on roads which connect the Marine Drive stretch to railway stations, including Charni Road and Marine Lines, as it is easier for him to escape.

Police sources also told mid-day that cases of mobile and handbag theft are on the rise at Marine Drive. "The victims are mostly couples who prefer to not file police complaints," the police officer said.

Shaikh was produced before the court and remanded in police custody for two days.

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