Palghar: In a swift breakthrough, the Bolinj Police Crime Detection Unit has arrested three men within 24 hours for their involvement in a violent chain-snatching incident targeting a senior citizen in Virar West. The stolen gold chain and the getaway vehicle have been recovered, officials confirmed.
The incident took place on July 30, 2025, around 12:30 pm, when the victim, Ranjana Uday Kalekar (53), was walking home after dropping her granddaughter at school. While walking near Jakat Naka towards Bolinj Naka, an unidentified man approached her under the pretext of asking for directions and suddenly grabbed her gold chain, injuring her in the process, before fleeing the scene.
Following her complaint, an FIR was registered at Bolinj Police Station under IPC Section 309(6) and 3(5) (pertaining to robbery and assault).
Officers meticulously analyzed CCTV footage from the crime scene and escape route, coupled with technical intelligence, which led them to identify and arrest the accused: Abdul Mobeen Idris Khan (28), driver; Mohammad Zeeshan Abdul Abrar Ahmed (34), garment worker from Chinchani, Tarapur, Palghar and Chetan Suresh Wagh, alias Cobra alias Saif (24), resident of Diva, Thane.
Khan and Ahmed were arrested from Bhandup at around 2:30 AM on July 31, while Wagh was apprehended later that evening from Diva, Thane.
The gang had used a WagonR car worth ₹5 lakh, which has been seized. Investigations also revealed that the stolen gold chain was pledged at Muthoot Finance in Kanjurmarg West, Mumbai. Further interrogation revealed the trio’s involvement in a similar violent theft in Saphale, for which FIR is registered at Saphale Police Station under IPC Section 304(2).
