A delivery boy employed by a jewellery manufacturing unit in MIDC, Andheri (East), has been arrested for allegedly staging a fake road accident to enable his accomplices to steal gold ornaments worth Rs 60.65 lakh. The incident occurred on June 6 when the accused, Avinash Kadam (26), was tasked with delivering the jewellery to a client located less than a kilometer from his workplace.
According to the MIDC police, Kadam attempted to mislead investigators by insisting on being admitted to the hospital for three days and requesting medical tests to support his claim of internal injuries, loss of consciousness, and collapse during the incident. However, his efforts failed to convince the investigating officers.
Police also detained Kadam's associate, Manoj Jogdande (41), who allegedly assisted in executing the crime. Authorities recovered all stolen property from Jogdande, with items concealed in the boot of his scooter, on the roof of his house, and hidden inside a flowerpot.
"The closed-circuit television footage and statements from witnesses at the scene helped the investigation team uncover the accident drama staged by Kadam. Investigators concluded the incident was staged after reviewing CCTV footage, which showed he had acted out the entire accident sequence and theft story," said a police officer from the MIDC police station.
Investigators first tracked down Jogdande using CCTV footage and identified him through the criminal database, as he had previously been arrested in the city for cheating cases. "The duo planned the theft. On June 6, when Kadam was assigned to deliver the jewellery bag, he faked an accident where his two-wheeler collided, he fell unconscious, and the jewellery was taken away. Despite having no injuries, he deliberately troubled doctors and insisted on remaining admitted to the hospital, thereby faking the accident and, along with his accomplices, abducting the property entrusted to him for delivery," the police said.
The complaint was filed by Kanchan Pawar (46), inventory head of Gold Star Elite Jewellers. DCP Datta Nalawade oversaw the investigation team, which included ACP Gajanan Pawar, senior inspector Ravindra Wani, inspector Mahesh Gurav, sub inspector Kiran Parbat, and staff. After reviewing numerous CCTV clips from the area, the team concluded that Kadam had arranged the false accident. "Jogdande was first nabbed and when questioned, he confessed that they were friends and had conspired to commit the crime," said the police.
Doubts about Kadam grew after his seniors reported that he claimed to have had an accident on the road towards Bhangargalli, and that a friend who answered his phone told them he had been taken to Kamgar Hospital for treatment. When his employer checked on his condition, doctors reportedly said he was stable and had no visible injuries. Kadam allegedly stated that while going to deliver the jewellery, he felt dizzy and collided with a pick-up tempo parked near Bhangargalli, after which he became unconscious at the spot. He also told them he did not know where the jewellery bag had gone.
