Daijiworld Media Network – Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai, Feb 6: The Crime Branch of the Navi Mumbai Police has arrested three men for allegedly impersonating police officers and robbing a gold buyer of Rs 13.25 lakh in Kharghar. The arrests were made following an intensive investigation involving CCTV footage analysis and technical surveillance, officials said on Wednesday.
The incident occurred on January 12 near a bank in Sector 20, Kharghar, when the complainant and a witness were waiting on the roadside. The victim had reportedly come to purchase gold ornaments at a discounted rate after being contacted by an agent identified as Raj.
Police said that while the duo was waiting, a white Maruti Ertiga arrived at the spot, and three men stepped out, claiming to be police personnel. The accused allegedly accused the victim of carrying illegal cash and forcibly snatched her bag containing Rs 13.25 lakh. They then pushed the agent Raj into the car before fleeing the scene.
A case was registered at the Kharghar police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Following the registration of the case, the Crime Branch launched a parallel probe and scanned CCTV footage from the crime scene and surrounding areas. Investigators found that the Ertiga used in the robbery had a fake number plate. The accused were also found to have used a motorcycle during the operation.
Further technical analysis revealed the involvement of eight to ten persons in the conspiracy, police said.
Based on leads developed during the investigation, multiple police teams were formed. Two accused were arrested from Ghansoli on January 26, while the third was nabbed from CBD Belapur on January 27.
The arrested men have been identified as Vishal Bajirao Tupe (35), Rohit Rajaram Shelar (26), and Manoj Ankush Bhandari (37), all residents of Navi Mumbai and Thane district.
Police said they recovered a white Maruti Ertiga valued at Rs 15.14 lakh, a motorcycle, mobile phones, cash and other incriminating material from the accused.
Investigations also revealed that the arrested men have multiple criminal cases registered against them at various police stations, involving offences such as cheating, robbery and criminal conspiracy.
Further investigation is underway to trace other members of the gang.