A band of Mumbai-based smash-and-grab jewel thieves that used to commit robberies in the Capital and then escape through train routes was nabbed after Delhi Police apprehended them in a moving train when they were on their way to Mumbai. The police officials learnt about the gang that had recently robbed a man in North Delhi’s Kotwali area. The North District police outwitted them and dispatched a team by air to Surat who then nabbed them in the train.
The incident was reported on Friday in North Delhi’s Dariba Kalan area. Victim Manoj Kumar Jain, a jeweller by profession, informed police that his bag, which contained Rs4.75 lakh cash and gold ornaments (32 rings, four bangles, four diamond sets), was snatched by robbers on Friday evening. The total cost of the valuables was over Rs10 lakh. A case was also registered at Kotwali police station.
According to police, one of the accused — identified as Mohammad Ahmed — was nabbed from the spot. He ratted out a Mumbai-based gang being behind the mugging. Ahmed was only supposed to get Rs10,000 and the main accused were returning to Mumbai via Dadar Express. Meanwhile, police also identified the accused from footage on CCTV cameras installed in the area. The cameras were recently installed under the Business Watch Scheme in Dariba Kalan.
The team was sent to Mumbai by air on Saturday morning so that the police officials would reach before the train arrived and the accused could be arrested. Meanwhile, investigators found one Badri in Hauz Kazi who had provided local logistics to the gang. He revealed that the accused did not board Dadar Express and instead took Pashchim Express which left Delhi on Saturday evening. It was then that senior officials decide to send another ream to Surat to intercept the criminals midway. Another team flew to Surat on Sunday morning and boarded the train at 10 am. Armed with the CCTV grab of the thieves, the team searched the running train and nabbed Shamim Jafri and Raju and recovered Rs2 lakh from them. They were taken to Mumbai where they were arrested.
They will now be produced before a local court and then brought to Delhi. “This is a Mumbai-based gang of 7-8 members that used to commit robberies in Delhi, Kolkata, Indore and other cities. They used to visit the city for two-three days and hire local criminals for logistics. They would first recce the place and then carry out the heist before fleeing to Mumbai,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Madhur Verma.
The three accused — identified as Mohammad Ahmed, Shamim Jafri and Raju — were arrested and Rs2 lakh has been recovered from them. Shamim’s father Naeem is the kingpin and raids are being conducted to nab him and other gang members.