Cops bust Dhoom-inspired gang

Their September earnings? Rs 45 lakh, says Police Sub Inspector Sanjay Naringrekar. Their best time? 32 km in just 20 minutes and a few seconds. That8217;s through Mumbai8217;s phenomenal traffic.

Yesterday, after a half-hour chase through the streets of Antop Hill in South Mumbai, police caught up with Haroon Noor Mohammed Medha 24. A guru in fast biking, he has a criminal record and walked out on bail in August. Police say he used to scout for youngsters crazy about bikes, train them and then use them for robberies. Last week, the same policemen had arrested his brother Gulam Rasool Medha 40 and associate Shahid Aziz Ansari 23.

DCP Crime Dhananjay Kamlakar detailed their method: It8217;s familiar to anyone who has watched Dhoom. A four-member gang on two bikes. One set keeps a watch on those withdrawing big money, calls up the other team and points out the victim. They would swoop on the marked victim and at gunpoint, snatch the bag and zoom off. Their aim would be to leave the city limits within 20 minutes, and meet at Vashi creek where they would divide the loot. So far, the police have recovered Rs 4.40 lakh in cash, gold ornaments worth Rs 2 lakh, a country-made revolver, mobile phone and one high-speed motorycle.

The accused have reportedly told the police that they were inspired by the action movie. Police said they spend the money on fancy clothes, and washing machines, refrigerators and air conditioners for their homes in the Antop Hill slums.