Labourer held over thefts from south Mumbai shops

Sheikh, who hails from UP’s Varanasi and resides in Nagpada area, was arrested based on a complaint by a businesman who claimed the Rs 2.46 lakh was stolen from his shop.

An officer said, “Last week, we received a complaint from a businessman that an unknown person had broken the shutter of his closed shop and stolen Rs 2.46 lakh cash.”

On the basis of the complaint, a case was registered and subsequently an inquiry was initiated.

“We searched various places where the accused was likely to be found, including the areas under VP Road police station, Nagpada, Sir J J Marg, Pydhonie, D B Marg and L T Marg police stations during which we found a person loitering suspiciously on Monday,” an officer said.
The police further added that the suspect was then taken into custody and a metal cutter was found in his possession. During questioning, he confessed to the crime and it further came to light that Sheikh is a history sheeter.

“He was arrested last year in a theft case and managed to step out on bail only six months ago. Since then he has committed over 10 thefts in south Mumbai and we are trying to get the details of those cases,” an officer added.

The investigators further added that the cash of Rs 2.46 lakh was also recovered from his house. “We have learnt that the accused would steal money and send it to his family in UP,” an officer said.