Turbhe: Two scooter-borne men allegedly snatched three mobile phones worth a total of Rs.1.62 lakh in three incidents within 75 minutes in the APMC Market area during the intervening night of October 13 and 14. The incidents occurred near Jalaram Market, Masala Market and the truck terminal, prompting APMC police to register three separate cases and launch an investigation.

The first incident occurred around 12.45 am near Jalaram Market in Sector 19. Prathamesh Bawar (25), who was talking on his phone outside a gift shop, allegedly had his iPhone 15, valued at Rs.71,000, snatched by the pillion rider of a silver scooter.

Around 30 minutes later, Parasram Kurund (27) was targeted near Gate No. 4 of Masala Market. The accused allegedly grabbed his iPhone 16, worth Rs.75,000, while he was using it and fled with his accomplice.

In the third incident, Santosh Goswami (26) lost his Motorola Moto G54, valued at Rs 16,000, near the truck terminal close to an Indian Oil petrol pump.

Police suspect the same duo may have been involved in all three incidents, given the similarities in the alleged modus operandi. Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the surrounding areas to identify and trace the suspects.

The back-to-back incidents have raised concerns about the safety of traders and others moving through the wholesale market complex at night. The investigation is underway, with police working to establish the suspects' identities and recover the stolen phones.