Two held for hand in temple robberies

PSI L G Shinde said they had received a tip-off that a wanted criminal was roaming near Kandivali station. “We reached there and arrested Khan,who later told us that Pawar was also in the city. We arrested Pawar,one of the most-wanted robbers,from Nalasopara,” said Shinde.

The police have arrested the two as suspects in a number of idol robbery cases in Mumbai,especially in the western suburbs where last year a gang of seven struck at a temple in Borivali,killing a guard,injuring his colleague and looting seven idols and 17 items of worship crafted from silver. “Since Pawar is known for idol robbery,we suspect he might have also been a part of the gang,” said Shinde.

After the arrests when the police enquired from the Mohal police,they found out that Pawar and Khan were absconding after allegedly killing the former’s stepmother over money issues. “Pawar’s mother had taught them the tricks of robbery,but when she asked for her share last month,the two killed her and fled to Mumbai,” said Shinde.

The police officers investigating the case also said that at the time of the murder,Pawar was out on bail in a robbery and rape case that he had committed in May. “He has more than 10 cases of robbery against him for which he is wanted in Solapur district and Mumbai,” added Shinde.

The two were remanded in police custody on Tuesday till July 28.