Broker-turned-chain snatcher nabbed by Andheri police

The accused has been caught on CCTV on his bike in various locations

The Andheri police arrested a 33-year-old broker, who turned chain snatcher, after he lost his job in lockdown. The police said the accused used to target senior citizens, especially women. In the past week, he had been active in Vile Parle, Andheri, Jogeshwari and MIDC areas. On Friday, he looted two senior citizens of R2 lakh worth of gold jewellery.

The chain snatcher, identified as Mohammad Akhtar Umar Sharif, is a resident of Shanti Nagar society on Mahakaali Caves road at Andheri East. Sharif was working with a builder but he lost his job. The police said the accused is from a respectable family and owns two flats as well. He lives with his wife, three children and younger brother. The Andheri police managed to arrest him within 24 hours of the incident.

The incident occurred on Thursday morning when Sharif was in Andheri East. Senior citizen Vaishali Anil Naik, 73, was returning home from a bank at Chakala. Sharif followed her and snatched her gold chain, worth Rs 60,000 and fled. After this robbery, Sharif also robbed a 65-year-old woman at Jogeshwari, and snatched her gold chain as he sped past on his bike. Both women approached the Andheri and Jogeshwari police stations immediately.

Speaking with mid-day, PSI Digambar Pagar of Andheri police station said, "After receiving the complaint, we checked on the whereabouts of similar bikes, and footage from CCTV cameras in the area. A special team checked cameras installed in shops, roads and other places and finally, we found his bike parked at Shanti Nagar society at Mahakaali Caves road in Andheri East. We took him into custody and he confessed."

Another police officialsaid, "When he lost his job, he went into depression, and started chain snatching." Pagar added, "We have recovered around R1.80 lakh of gold jewellery from the accused and seized his Honda CB Shine bike. We will produce the accused in court today."