Delivery boy held in chain snatching cases

Navi Mumbai: A 24-year-old delivery executive allegedly took to chain snatching to fund his online gambling habit after suffering betting losses, police said. The Navi Mumbai Crime Branch, Unit-1, has arrested the accused and said it has solved nine chain-snatching cases reported in Sanpada, Vashi and Koparkhairane.

The accused, identified as Kumar Babu Chavan, a resident of Bonkode, Koparkhairane, allegedly targeted women while riding a scooter. Police recovered eight gold mangalsutras and chains weighing 68.84 grams and valued at Rs 7.92 lakh, along with a TVS Ntorq 125 scooter. The total value of the seized property is about Rs 8.42 lakh.

The investigation began after a rise in chain-snatching incidents in the Vashi-Sanpada belt. Crime Branch officials examined CCTV footage and noticed a suspect wearing similar clothes and using a grey scooter.

On September 25, Head Constable Chandrakant Kadam and Constable Sagar Sonwalkar spotted a man matching the description in Sector 29, Vashi. When signalled to stop, he allegedly fled but was chased and apprehended.

Police said, “Chavan worked as a delivery executive with Blinkit, giving him familiarity with local roads and lanes. Investigators further alleged that he was addicted to online gambling and resorted to chain snatching to raise money after losing bets.”

The stolen jewellery was allegedly recovered from Jagdishchandra Kumawat, owner of Radhe Jewellers, who has also been made an accused. The nine cases include six in Sanpada, two in Vashi and one in Koparkhairane. Chavan has been remanded in police custody. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Bhausaheb Dhole said the investigation into the cases and the involvement of others was continuing.