Kingpin of SBI locker break-in held in Mumbai

Nearly five months after launching a manhunt, police finally managed to nab the kingpin of the SBI locker break-in incident. Police arrested Hasan Chikna from Mumbai.

On a tip-off, Bokaro police alongwith Navi Mumbai conducted raids at several spots in Mumbai and arrested Hasan from Sector 20 under Nerul police station in Mumbai on May 21, informed Kartik S, Superintendent of Police Bokaro.

“Police recovered 5.5 kg gold stolen from SBI Bokaro and UCO Bank Allahabad. Rs 33.64 lakh has also been recovered from his possession which was collected after selling the stolen gold and ornaments,” added SP.   

During interrogation, Hasan revealed how he conducted the theft incidents in SBI Bokaro, UCO Bank in Allahabad and Sai Temple, sector 6 in Bokaro, said the SP. The ‘locker break’ incident occurred on 26 December 2017 at Bokaro, thieves escaped with ornaments and valuables over Rs 8 crore after breaking the 76 lockers of the bank on Christmas holiday. Out of 76 lockers, four were empty, informed the police.

After committing theft in Bokaro, Hasan escaped to Howrah and distributed stolen gold among his gang members. Later he went to Mumbai with his beloved and kept his share of gold and cash in a rented house and returned to Allahabad on 20 April 2018. On 29 April Hasan again committed ‘locker break’ incident at UCO Bank in Allahabad and escaped with gold, cash and other valuables kept in lockers, he said.

All total 13 criminals have arrested from different locations of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Mumbai. They were either involved in the theft including or in sale or purchase of stolen gold, said SP.

The arrest was made possible with the cooperation of Navi Mumbi police, Bokaro Police is sending an ‘Appreciation Letter’ to Navi Mumbi police, said Kartik S.