Mumbai: Cops bust gang of Gujarat thieves at Lalbaug

Representational images. Pic/iStock

The Kalachowkie police have busted a gang of thieves from Ahmedabad that ventured into Lalbaug. Seven suspects, including a woman, have been arrested. As of Friday evening, 13 FIRs have been registered at the police station, encompassing cases of mobile theft, chain snatching, and purse snatching, with 11 of them already resolved. In total, 16 suspects have been arrested in connection with these incidents.

Lalbaug witnessed thousands of devotees who had gathered to bid farewell to the Ganesh idols. The crowds had gathered since Thursday morning, prompting the formation of special teams to closely monitor the situation in anticipation of mobile and chain snatching, as well as purse snatching cases. In the past, there have been instances of gangs from other states arriving in the area to engage in theft.

An official from the Kalachowkie police station said, "The gang was arrested from the Lalbaug area on Thursday; they were involved in mobile and chain snatching. Interrogations of these suspects are underway to determine their arrival time in the city."

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Since Thursday, the Kalachowkie police have received 85 complaints regarding mobile theft and loss, as well as incidents of chain and purse-snatching. "We have registered 13 FIRs for mobile and chain-snatching, with 11 already solved. We have successfully nabbed 16 individuals," said Pramod Bhovte, senior inspector at Kalachowkie police station. "Additionally, we have recovered mobile phones and chains worth R3.96 lakh," he added. All suspects have been remanded in police custody for three days.