Goods worth Rs. 29 lakh seized

In a major breakthrough, the Thane Crime Branch and Central Crime Branch arrested five persons, including the mastermind, involved in the robbery of Vaman Shankar Marathe Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. in Thane. The gang, which had looted valuables worth Rs. 28.77 lakh from the jeweller’s shop, was apprehended on December 21, and goods worth Rs. 29.15 lakh were recovered.

The robbery occurred in the station area on Wardali Road in Thane, when the accused broke into the shop and stole gold ornaments and other valuables. A case was registered at Naupada Police Station, prompting an extensive investigation by both the Naupada Police and Crime Branch. Through a combination of technical analysis and mobile phone tracking, the police were able to trace the accused to Surat, Gujarat.

The arrested individuals were identified as Lilaram alias Lilesh Malaram Meshwal (29), a driver from Surat, Chunnilal alias Sumat Shankarlal Prajapati (35), a mason from Surat, Jaisaram alias JD Devaram Kalbi (32), an electrician from Mumbai, Donaram alias Dilip Malaram Paradia (24), an employee of Diamond Bazaar, and Nagjiram Pratapji Meghwal (29), all originally from Rajasthan. The group had fled to Surat after the crime, but swift action by the police led to their arrest.

Upon arrest, the police seized gold ornaments weighing 483 grams, five and a half kilograms of silver coins, silver utensils, imitation jewellery, mobile phones, and other items worth a total of Rs. 29,15,340. The accused were produced in Thane court, where they were remanded to police custody until December 26.

Investigations revealed that the accused have previous theft cases registered against them in Surat and Rajasthan. The police are taking further action as part of their ongoing probe into the gang's criminal activities.