32-yr-old who came from UP to be actor caught for chain snatching

A 32-year-old man, who came to Mumbai from Uttar Pradesh (UP) five years ago to become an actor, was arrested by crime branch officials of government railway police (GRP) on Thursday for chain snatching on trains.

Police recovered chains worth Rs12 lakh from him.

The accused, Mohammed Saif Asgar Ali Chowdhary, said police, is a history sheeter. He had resorted to snatching gold chains from commuters on long-distance trains in order to survive in the city. The police also arrested his accomplice who worked in a jewellery store.

On Thursday, Chowdhary was on board the Konkan Express when he stole two gold chains from two commuters between Panvel and Vashi railway stations.

When the train slowed down between the stations, he jumped off. However, GRP officials who were patrolling the area intercepted him.

During questioning, police found that Chowdhary had moved to the city to become a film star, but once he realised that he would not be able to make it, he resorted to chain snatching and petty theft.

Chowdhary has been residing in a rented room in Dharavi for the past three years, said GRP officers.

“He told us that he robs gold chains on long-distance trains and then gives them to his accomplice who works at a jewellery shop. His aide then melts the chains and pays him a commission,” said an officer.

“We have also arrested Chowdhary’s aide, Sabir Shaikh,” said M Makandar, deputy commissioner of police (GRP).

Santosh Dhanvate, senior police inspector of GRP crime branch, said, “The accused committed his first theft five years ago, but was caught in the act in Kharghar. In jail, he met other robbers who taught him how to snatch chains.”

Last month, at least five incidents of chain snatching had been reported in Panvel.

Following this, the GRP’s crime branch identified certain points near railway station and increased police presence. Chowdhary was nabbed owing to one such team station in the area, said police.

First Published: May 11, 2019 03:26 IST