Man who robbed motorists after picking fights arrested

Nerul police have arrested a man who along with his friends robbed pedestrians and motorists on Palm Beach Road after picking fights with them.

The police said that the accused, who has been identified as Abeed Vazeer Sayyed (25), has had a criminal record against him since he was a juvenile.

Following a tip-off, the police arrested Mr. Sayyed at his apartment in Ulwe, where he lived with his girlfriend after his wife left him.

The police said Mr. Sayyed, who ran a chicken shop till last year, had shut his business and decided to make a living by robbing people. Mr. Sayyed had bought a Honda Activa in his girlfriend’s and a Bajaj Pulsar in his father’s name and used the vehicles to commit the robberies.

Assistant Police Inspector Rajesh Gajjal said, “He committed at least three robberies in Nerul and one in NRI area, all on Palm Beach Road. We suspect many robberies and his friends committed have also gone unreported. They robbed people of cash, jewellery and mobile phones after picking fights with them.”

The police said that Mr. Sayyed and his friends would travel on the bike and accost unsuspecting motorists. They would stop their bike in front of other vehicles and accuse the motorists of not following lane discipline. Mr. Gajjal and team have seized both vehicles and some cash from the accused. The police are in search of Mr. Sayyed’s accomplices. Senior Police Inspector Ashok Rajput said, “He is also wanted in a case of attempt to murder registered with Panvel police.”