In a significant breakthrough, the Thane Crime Branch has arrested a notorious chain-snatcher linked to the Irani syndicate, cracking a series of crimes across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The arrest led to the recovery of gold ornaments valued at a staggering Rs 30.2 lakh and helped solve 20 chain-snatching cases registered at multiple police stations.
Crackdown on Organised Crime
Acting on directives from senior officers to curb the rising menace of forcible chain snatching, the Thane Crime Branch ramped up its preventive and detection operations. This focused effort culminated in the arrest of the accused, identified as Abbas alias Badda Yunus Sayyed (21), a resident of Ambivli in Kalyan.
The operation was spearheaded by officers from Crime Branch Unit–2 in Bhiwandi. While conducting a parallel investigation into a case registered at Narpoli police station, they developed specific intelligence pointing to Abbas's involvement. The police team then skillfully tracked and apprehended the accused from Bidar in Karnataka.
Confession and Recovery of Stolen Gold
During sustained and technical interrogation following his arrest, Abbas confessed to his role in a spree of crimes. He admitted to committing 20 chain-snatching offences along with his accomplices in areas including Bhiwandi, Mumbra, Thane, Ulhasnagar, and Ambernath.
From the accused, the police successfully recovered gold ornaments weighing 232.5 grams, with the total estimated value pegged at Rs 30.2 lakh. Investigations further revealed that Abbas is not a first-time offender. He has a prior criminal record, with earlier chain-snatching cases already registered against him at the Khadakpada police station.
Wide-Ranging Impact of the Arrest
The arrest of Abbas has had a domino effect, leading to the detection of multiple offences that were registered across several police jurisdictions. A police officer stated that the arrest helped solve cases from police stations including:
- Narpoli
- Shivajinagar
- Bhiwandi City
- Mumbra
- Vitthalwadi
- Vartaknagar
- Kapurbawdi
- Chitalsar
Significantly, the accused has been booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), highlighting the serious and organised nature of the crimes. The Thane Police's action demonstrates a firm approach against syndicates operating in the region.
Further investigation is currently underway. Police teams are working to trace Abbas's accomplices and verify his potential involvement in additional crimes that have not yet been uncovered. This arrest marks a crucial step in dismantling organised chain-snatching networks terrorizing the metropolitan region.
