Fake Policemen Snatch Rs 13 Lakh from Retired Teacher in Wadala
Four men pretending to be police officers stole a bag containing Rs 13 lakh from a retired school teacher in Wadala on Sunday evening. The criminals did not get far. The victim's associates chased their car and alerted patrolling officers. Police quickly intercepted the vehicle and recovered the entire stolen amount.
Swift Action Leads to Arrests
The Wadala police arrested all four accused individuals. They identified the men as Nisar Sheikh (46), Sanjay Kumar Dubey (59), Pravin Pandey (32), and Alwin. Officers registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The charges include robbery, cheating, and impersonation. Police also seized the white Maruti Ertiga car used in the crime.
How the Robbery Unfolded
The complainant, Anita Miranda, is a 58-year-old retired teacher. She now works as a private tutor in Dongri but lives in Vasai with her husband. Miranda wanted to buy a flat in Wadala to reduce her travel time. On Sunday around 5 PM, she visited the area with a neighbor and his wife. She carried cash to pay as an advance for the property.
One of Miranda's acquaintances informed her that a man named Alwin would meet her in Wadala to show the flat. She reached the location around 4:30 PM. Alwin and his associate, Nisar Ahmed alias Salim Sawan Sheikh, met her there. They took the group to a construction site opposite Lodha Tower.
A few moments later, two persons arrived in a white Ertiga car. They claimed to be policemen. The fake officers forcibly snatched a bag from Nisar. They made him sit in their vehicle and sped away.
Chase and Capture
Miranda, her neighbor, and his wife immediately chased the Ertiga. They managed to intercept it near KD junction in Govandi. Police personnel from the Deonar police station were on patrol in the area. They noticed a scuffle and rushed to the scene. The officers nabbed the accused on the spot.
During their investigation, police discovered the accused used an Ertiga with a fake number plate: MH 01 KL 6482. The criminals were initially taken to the Deonar police station. Authorities later handed them over to the Wadala TT police, under whose jurisdiction the offence occurred.
Police Investigation Details
Interrogation established Alwin's role in the crime. Police arrested him as well. A senior officer from the Wadala TT police station commented on the incident. He said the accused impersonated police personnel and attempted to flee with the cash. The timely chase by the complainant's associates and alert patrolling police managed to nab the culprits.
Police said further investigation is now underway. Officers want to trace the owner of the car. They also plan to check if the gang was involved in similar offences elsewhere.
