In the annals of crime in Navi Mumbai, this could well be a first. The police commissioner has ordered the anti-extortion unit to shut shop, as there are “no cases of extortion” in Navi Mumbai. Instead, he has diverted the staff to detect cases of stolen vehicles.
“The idea is to utilise the forces we have. We do not have many cases of extortion and hence, the unit does not have much work. We have an increasing number of vehicle thefts in Navi Mumbai and to tackle them, we needed a team. Hence, the anti-extortion unit will now look into vehicle theft cases exclusively,” Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said. He issued the order for the new unit on February 10.
The reason for the shift: the police and the targets of extortionists in the city — builders and well-known personalities — can breathe easy with the arrest of extortionist Ravi Pujari on January 31. Another gangster, Suresh Pujari, who was known for extortion, has fled the country, an officer said. In 2018, just three cases were registered with the anti-extortion unit. “We have four Crime Branch units that can look into extortion cases,” Mr. Kumar said.
Rise in vehicle thefts
Vehicle thefts, on the other hand, have increased by 257 in 2018, as compared to 2017. A total of 843 vehicles were stolen in Navi Mumbai last year, of which 601 were motorcycles, 207 were three- and four-wheelers and 35 heavy vehicles. Of the 843 cases, 255 were solved: a 30% detection. In comparison, in 2017, the police solved 197 of the 586 motor vehicle thefts, a 34% detection rate. “On an average at least two vehicles are stolen every day,” Mr. Kumar said.
The new unit will visit the vehicle theft spots and study the theft pattern in the past five years.
The team will also examine the record of history sheeters and look into technical evidence. The police are also printing posters and pamphlets to educate people on ways to prevent their vehicles from getting stolen, Mr. Kumar said.
Police are also looking at abandoned vehicles, which could actually be stolen. People can send details about the abandoned vehicles on a WhatsApp number.
Following permission from a court, the police will dispose of the vehicles by handing them over to the insurance company or the owner, or by auctioning it, he said.
Abandoned vehicles
Of the 244 vehicles found abandoned this year, 108 were disposed of by the Navi Mumbai police. The WhatsApp number, 7738393839 was unveiled on February 16. People can send a photo and location of the abandoned vehicle.
The anti-extortion unit was headed by police inspector Shirish Pawar, who will now head the vehicle theft unit.
“We have nine staffers in the unit and will add 10 more,” Mr. Pawar said. He explained how the unit will function. Once a theft is reported, the team will visit the spot, interrogate history sheeters, coordinate with nearby units, look for technical evidence and then seek details through informers.