The Mora coastal police are on the lookout for a couple who allegedly posed as tenants in houses across the State and eventually burgled the property.
Attached homes
According to the police, Navneet Madhukar Naik and Priya alias Smita Navneet Naik target owners whose homes are either near the house on rent or attached to it. Mr. Naik introduces himself as a medical representative in order to rent the flat and the couple eventually wins the confidence of the owners and learn the whereabouts of their valuables and keys.
The couple makes away with valuables from the owners’ house and vacates the rented accommodation the very next day.
They then start staying in a lodge, from where they hunt for their next target.
“The couple was active in our jurisdiction around 15 days ago. After they made away with valuables of the owners, we started investigations and found that the couple had previously conducted similar thefts in various other parts of the State. A few years ago, they had committed a similar crime in Vashi. Close to nine cases have been registered against them,” senior police inspector Manik Nalawade from Mora coastal police station said.
‘Special team’
“In the case registered with us, the accused made away with gold ornaments worth ₹3 lakh while the owner was at home. The owner realised about the theft the next day, by when the couple had left. In some cases, the couple is accompanied by their 12-year-old son as well. In this case, he wasn’t there. We have formed a special team to trace the couple,” Mr. Nalawade said.
The couple also buy a second-hand phone and SIM card before committing each crime and discard it afterwards