Pune: Boy held for robbery, was ‘inspired by crime show’

Police said that on January 30 this year, on the pretext of asking an address, Rafiq entered Khode’s apartment, while armed with a sharp weapon, in A-Wing of Shubh Complex in Indrayani Nagar around 9 pm.

He pointed the weapon at Khode, threatened to kill her along with her son and then looted her ornaments and cell phone. After he fled from the spot, Khode lodged the police complaint.

The crime branch team led by inspector Lakshman Borate initiated a parallel investigation into this case. Assistant police inspector Nitin Bhoyar learned from his sources about the involvement of suspect Rafiq Sayyad in this case. Police found that the description of the robber given by Khode matched Rafiq. So he was picked up for questioning.

Police said that he gave vague replies and said that he was in Rajasthan when the crime took place, thus increasing the police’s suspicion over him. However, during sustained interrogation, he admitted to his involvement in the robbery. The police team then recovered the robbed ornaments and cell phone, all worth Rs 1 lakh from his possession. The police also recovered the weapon he had used for committing the crime.

The police arrested Rafiq and produced him before a magistrate court. Police sought his custody for further investigation. The court remanded him to police custody till March 1.

Meanwhile, during investigation, Rafiq reportedly told police that he committed the robbery because he needed money and was inspired by the television serial “Savdhaan India,” which is based on real crime stories. Police said that he worked on daily wages with different courier companies. While working as a courier, he identified Khode’s house as the target for committing robbery.