Daredevils break into ACP's house, steal gun

Burglars targeted the flat of an assistant commissioner of police (ACP), and decamped with booty worth Rs 1.8 lakh on Wednesday morning. The daylight burglary took place at the Mahim residence of Ravindra Khandagle (56), ACP with the Mumbai Crime Branch.

Disarmed: Burglars broke into the cop's flat at Kamal Park, Mahim (West) and stole R20,000 cash, ornaments worth R90,000, a watch costing about R6,000 and his 9 mm Glock pistol. Pic/ Milind Karekar

According to police, the thieves broke open the safety and main door locks of the flat in Kamal Park building and made away with Rs 20,000 in cash, gold ornaments worth Rs 90,000, a watch costing about Rs 6,000, a camera worth Rs 7,000 and his 9mm Glock pistol, which is his service weapon. Police have reviewed the CCTV footage from the cameras installed in the building, and have launched a manhunt for the unknown accused, who are seen roaming in the CCTV recordings.

"Khandagle had gone to the High Court while his wife who is a teacher had gone to work and his son had gone to college," said Dhananjay Kulkarni, deputy commissioner of police, Zone V.

When Khandagle's wife returned from work, she informed her husband about the break-in, after which he lodged a complaint with the Shivaji Park police. "As his service revolver has also been taken, we are concerned that the loaded weapon might fall into the wrong hands," said a police officer from Shivaji Park police station, on condition of anonymity.

The Shivaji Park police have registered a case for housebreaking. "We have started the process of identifying the accused and are picking up history-sheeters," added Kulkarni.

Khandagle, a 1983 batch IPS officer, was recently posted as the ACP of Matunga division, but is yet to take charge. He has held various postings at the South region special squad and Crime Branch. u00a0