Mumbai Crime: Serial burglar maid arrested after sixteenth theft

Narmada Shoeb Khan alias Bharati

The Dindoshi police have arrested a domestic maid - who is a serial burglar - for stealing jewellery and cash worth lakhs from a Goregaon family, where she worked for just a day. The accused has been identified as Narmada Shoeb Khan alias Bharati, 33, who has been named 15 such cases before. The police learned of the theft on January 25, when the family that resides in Gokuldham, filed a case against an unknown person for decamping with jewellery worth Rs 22.85 lakh and Rs 32,000 in cash.

Also read - Mumbai: Two 'maids' held for stealing Rs 12 lakh from Matunga resident

The complainant told cops he'd last seen his valuables on January 19 and kept them safely in the cupboard locker. But they went missing on January 25.

One-day maid
Acting on the complaint, cops began investigating the matter. During a questioning, they learnt that the victim had appointed a full-time maid named Bharati on January 23 but she'd worked only for a day and never returned. his raised suspicions on her. When cops looked into Bharati, they realised she was none other than Khan, who'd been booked in several such crimes before, in 15 police stations all over the city. The Goregaon family was her 16th target. She was arrested from home in Shivaji Nagar, Mulund on January 26.

Maid-us operandi
Khan's modus operandi was to roam around across the city and identify buildings with wealthy residents. Once she did that, she would approach the security guards of the building and ask for domestic work. She would use different names with each target, but usually stuck to Bharati as her alias. She'd also refuse to share her identity proof and mobile number. Police sources have revealed she was arrested in few cases, but was bailed out.

Khan used the stolen booty for her survival requirement and once that money was exhausted, she would start hunting for a new target. She has been booked under Section 381 (theft by clerk or servant of property in possession of master) of the Indian Penal Code and remanded in police custody till January 31. Cops have recovered jewellery worth approximately Rs 16 lakh.

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