MUMBAI CRIME: Thief who stole bikes to impress girls arrested

The 24-year-old daily wage worker stole two bikes from his work premises in the last two months; the guard called the cops when he noticed the man looking around for his third steal

A man’s penchant for joy rides and attempts to impress girls has landed him in jail. Vikhroli police arrested 24-year-old Ketan Vishwanath Mali for stealing motorcycles from his workplace. Mali is on daily payroll with Godrej at its plant number 20 at the large Vikhroli campus of the company.

Ketan Mali used the bikes to travel from home to Kalyan railway station

Two incidents of bike thefts from the campus had been reported at the Vikhroli police station in December and January. According to a police officer, the accused worked at the plant all day. While returning home, he would steal the bikes.

After his first theft in December, Mali rode it to his Kalyan residence. He would then use the motorcycle to travel from his Khadakpada house to Kalyan railway station. Mali then stole his second bike on January 20, which he hid at Kannamwar Nagar, Vikhroli (East).

On February 15, he was roaming around the campus, looking for his third target. Noticing him milling about raised the suspicion of the security guard, who called the cops. “A team was dispatched to Godrej that brought Mali in. During interrogations, he confessed to the crimes. The bikes were also recovered. Only these two cases were disclosed,” said an officer from Vikhroli police station.

When asked about the motive for the crimes, the officer added, “The accused wanted to ride bikes since his childhood. He wanted to impress girls by showing that he owned many bikes.” Anil Galinde, inspector at Vikhroli police station, said, “Mali was very poor and always dreamt of riding a bike.

But, his income didn’t support his wish, because of which he stole the vehicles from the premises.” The accused has been booked under Section 379 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code and remanded to judicial custody.

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