Navi Mumbai News: Police Foil Vashi Heist Attempt After High-Speed Chase; 1 Robber Caught, 5 Escape

Navi Mumbai: A dramatic police chase unfolded in Vashi early Monday morning when a gang of six robbers, arriving in a red Tavera car, attempted to execute a heist. While trying to escape, the criminals tried to run over police officers in the Sagar Vihar area. One suspect was caught, but five others managed to flee under the cover of darkness. The police also got a drone to catch the escaped accused, but couldn't succeed.

It was ajoint operation by crime branch unit II headed by senior police inspector Umesh Gavali and Senior Police Inspector Sanjay Dhumal of Vashi Police Station. In the operation, the police seized Red Tavera car, which contained weapons and equipment intended for the robbery.

A case has been registered against the arrested suspect and his five accomplices under charges including attempted robbery, attempted murder, and obstruction of government work.

The Crime Branch Unit-2 had received information about an impending robbery in Vashi. Acting on this tip-off, a police team tracked the red Tavera car and launched a pursuit around 4 a.m. Upon locating the suspicious vehicle, the police initiated a chase that led to Sagar Vihar. When ordered to surrender, the robbers attempted to mow down the officers with their car but failed.

During the chase, the criminals’ vehicle collided with two other cars before they abandoned it and fled toward a nearby creek. The police managed to capture the gang leader, identified as Paramjit Poman Singh, alias Nagesh or Nagaraj (43). However, five other members—Sardar, Nepali Thapa, Hasan, Nepali, and Hasan’s friend—escaped.

Upon inspecting the abandoned vehicle, the police recovered a hydraulic cutter, five screwdrivers, a pair of pliers, a cutter, an iron rod, a rope bundle, four sacks, five large bags, gloves, five scissor blades, and three packets of chili powder—items likely intended for the robbery.

"Since the accused ran into the mangrove area, we called in for a drone to check around the creek area, but we could find them. We are working on the leads we have got and they would be arrested soon," PI Gavali said.