Mumbai: Duo arrested for phone snatching; police crack down on serial offenders

Ahmed Querishi and Shahanawaz Shaikh

The MRA Marg police have successfully apprehended a duo suspected of snatching the phone of a victim and fleeing the scene. The incident came to light on July 30, when the victim, Rajesh Salunke, 30, reported the missing phone at the police station.

According to the victim's statement in the FIR, the incident occurred around 6 am near Bora Bazar, in close proximity to the DCP Zone 1 office. Two unknown individuals were reportedly seated on a scooter, with one of them snatching Salunke's phone while the other operated the vehicle. Salunke narrated, "Two unknown people were seated on a scooter, one of them snatched my phone and the other one was riding the scooter." The police launched an intensive investigation, meticulously analysing nearly 100 CCTV footage recordings from areas, including Fort, J.J Junction, and Bhat Bazar. Despite the lack of a clear image of the alleged culprits, a blurry photograph provided a lead. An informer familiar with the local scene identified a potential suspect.

Following extensive efforts, combined with technical investigations and reliable informant inputs, the police successfully apprehended Shahanawaz Shaikh, also known as Ajmeri, from Bhendi Bazar on August 6. During interrogation, Shaikh disclosed his accomplice's involvement, leading to the apprehension of Ahmed Qureshi, alias Paya, from Nallasopara. It was revealed that Shaikh and Querishi were friends and had a history of similar crimes. Shaikh had accumulated six theft cases against him, while Querishi had a record of cases across the city's southern region.

The modus operandi of the duo involved one riding a two-wheeler while the other carried out the snatching of valuables such as gold chains and phones. Their gains were subsequently sold, and the proceeds were divided between them. Senior Police Inspector Rajesh Pawar stated, "We apprehended him on August 6. The victim works as a peon for judges in the high court. Our officers managed to apprehend the accused with limited information."

Following their arrest, the police seized a mobile phone and the scooter used during the incidents. The court has granted the suspects two-day police custody. Both have been booked under sections 392 (Robbery) and 34 (Common Intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

July 30
Day of the crime