Habitual chain-snatcher arrested; gold worth Rs 8.74 lakh seized

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

MIDC Waluj police have arrested a habitual offender involved in three mangalsutra snatching cases reported between February and March in the industrial area. Using technical surveillance and intelligence inputs, police traced and detained Firoz Sheikh (32) of Nevasa Phata, Mukindpur, district Ahilyanagar.

Shaikh, who allegedly targeted women at public places and events, has around 16 criminal cases registered against him. The incidents included snatching of a 15-gram chain on February 20 under A.S. Club flyover, a 40-gram mangalsutra on February 22 near 36 Gun Mangal Karyalaya, and an 11-gram chain on March 10 at Waluj Hospital Road, creating panic in the area. Shaikh was already in custody in another case in Karmala, Solapur district. After securing bail, Waluj police took him into custody and recovered 66 grams of stolen gold ornaments worth ₹8.74 lakh from his residence in Nevasa. Further investigation is underway.