Crime branch busts inter-state chain snatchers’ gang, arrests 4

PUNE: The city crime branch arrested four members of an inter-state gang involved in chain snatching and recovered gold, five stolen motorcycles and a car, together worth Rs28.56 lakh, from them.
Acting on a tip-off, a team headed by senior inspector Sitaram More arrested the suspects — Muqtar Sayyed Noor Irani (19), Wasim Shamim Patel (19), Aliraja Hussein Irani (19) and Imran Feroz Irani (24) — all residents of Pathare Vasti in Loni Kalbhor from Market Yard on Saturday.
Deputy commissioner of police (crime) P R Patil said it was realized during the course of investigation that the suspects had committed chain snatchings in Bibvewadi, Sahakarnagar, Swargate, Market Yard, Sinhagad Road, Warje, Khadki, Wakad, Sangvi, Bhosari, Hadapsar, Kothrud and other areas. “They were involved in as many as 22 chain snatching cases,” Patil said.
Several cases of chain snatchings were registered against them at different police stations of Karnataka, too. The six motorcycles recovered from them included two power bikes. Of the six motorcycles, five were stolen from Hadapsar, Rasta Peth and Wanowrie areas.
The police seized all the six motorcycles, a car and gold ornaments, totally worth Rs 28.56 lakh, Patil said. Two persons were arrested for purchasing stolen gold ornaments from the gang. Elaborating on their modus operandi, Patil said the suspects used to steal sports motorcycles first and recce their target areas in the morning. Thereafter, they targeted women walking on roads.
“The suspects used to handover gold chains to other gang members roaming in the same area to evade arrest,” he said.