Mira-Bhayandar: The crime detection unit attached to the Kashimira police station claim to have busted a Mumbra-based gang of six thieves who boarded public transport buses during peak rush hours and stole mobile phones of commuters.

Alarmed by the sudden spurt in mobile theft cases reported by bus commuters, senior police inspector Rajendra Kamble directed personnel from the crime detection unit to intensify vigil in buses and stops in the region. The police personnel spotted a Maruti S-Presso car moving around in a suspicious manner on the highway in Kashimira on Friday. The six occupants including the driver who were detained for questioning spilled the beans and confessed to their involvement in the mobile theft cases.

Statement Of DCP (Zone 1) Prakash Gaikwad

Explaining the modus operandi of the gang, DCP (Zone I) Prakash Gaikwad said, “Three to four members of the gang would board the bus-especially during the peak rush hours as they had much scope for easily stealing from the commuters. While two of them would surround the targets, the others would distract them and steal their mobile phone before disembarking on the next stop. They would hand over the stolen phone to their accomplices who followed the bus in the car. They then boarded another bus to steal more phones.”  

“The thieves who boarded the bus would pass on the phones amongst each other, making it virtually impossible for the target to trace the phone.” said senior police inspector-Rajendra Kamble.

About The Accused

The accused have been identified as Anwar Ghafoor Syed (41), Samir Bashir Ansari alias Bachkana (32), Mohammed Afzal Shaikh (39), Salim Abdul Rehman Shaikh (46), Afroze Ahmed Shaikh (28) and Mohammed Sultan Ayub Khan alias Lala (27) all residents of Mumbra who have been booked under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.

Apart from recovering 13 stolen mobile phones from their possession, the police have impounded the car which was used in the crime. Prima facie investigations revealed their involvement in six offences committed by them in Kashimira, Dahisar and Thane. However, the numbers could be much higher, police said. API Yogesh Kale has been deputed to conduct a detailed probe into the case.