Routine patrol helps prevent loot of Rs 8 crore

A routine patrol check as part of Independence Day security arrangements led to the Matunga crime branch busting a gang and preventing a loot of around `8 crore. The police arrested six people and also recovered choppers, gas cutters and other weapons, which the accused intended to use for the dacoity.

N. Ambika, deputy commissioner of police, Zone 4, said that a crime branch officer arrested the gang from Maheshwari Circle while he was out patrolling. “We had regular patrolling as part of our security arrangements for Independence Day. On the morning of August 16, one of our officers had started his morning patrol and noticed a taxi parked near the circle. Since it was very early in the morning and the area is deserted, he decided to check,” she said. She explained that when the people sitting in the taxi saw the officer approaching, they started fleeing.

“One of them was standing behind the vehicle, two on the side and the others were sitting and when the one standing behind saw the officer approaching, he shouted and started to run away. The rest of them also followed but our officer alerted the nearby police personnel and also gave chase to the accused,” she said.

The officers were able to nab a total of six accused and are still looking for three more.

The police recovered gas cutters, canisters, choppers, knives, gloves and screwdrivers. “They had made an elaborate plan and were prepared to break into at least two to three jewellery shops in the area. They had expected to loot at least Rs 8 crore in the dacoity,” the officer added.

The arrested accused have been identified as Santostosh Anand Hayal, 21, Nepal Badal Manna, 34, Sumeet Yadav, 34, Rajan Nakul Das, 23, Pradeep Natme, 24, and Pratapsingh Dilipsingh Manchanda, 58. The police is looking for three more people who managed to escape from the scene.