GRP recovers 21 mobiles from duo who robbed railway commuters during Ganesh festival
GRP officials recovered 21 mobile phones from the Singh and Sharma (Picture: Karan S)
Government Railway Police (GRP) officials have recovered 21 mobile phones from two men, who were arrested for targeting railway commuters visiting Lalbaug and Parel areas during Ganesh Utsav.
The duo, who are part of a larger gang, had booked rooms in a Mumbai guesthouse a day before Anant Chaturdashi on Sunday.
One of the accused was arrested for theft on Sunday by Dadar GRP, stationed at Chinchpokli station, which helped uncover the larger racket.
“Every year, devotees visit Ganpati pandals in the Parel-Lalbaug area during the festive season. On Sunday, a man’s phone was stolen. Our personnel caught hold of the culprit, Harish Singh (28),” said DCP Purushottam Karad of the GRP.
Following the arrest, Singh led officials to the guesthouse where the stolen mobiles were kept. His accomplice, Sonu a.k.a Ramkishan Sharma (28) arrived there while officials were still searching the premises.
Sharma tried to flee the spot after spotting cops but was apprehended after a chase of about one kilometre. The cops managed to recover 21 mobile phones, collectively worth Rs 4.75 lakh, from the guesthouse.
According to officials, most phones were stolen from commuters travelling between Dadar and Chinchpokli railway stations, including some who had come to visit Lalbaughcha Raja.
The gang comprised of three other members, who were all arrested in Delhi for mobile phone theft. Their modus operandi involved taking advantage of the bustling crowd during the festive season.
Prior to this, Singh worked as a driver in Delhi and Sharma worked at the ticket counter of Appu Ghar, also in the national capital.
The duo has been booked under section 392 (punishment for robbery), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the IPC and section 147 (trespass and refusal to desist from trespass on railway property) of the Railways Act.
