Teens who robbed to buy drugs arrested

Two teenagers who allegedly stole cash, ornaments and other valuables collectively valued at Rs 3 lakh to fund their drug habit were arrested on Friday.

The police said the duo, residents of MHADA Colony at Vashi Naka in Chembur broke into another house in the same colony on December 14 while its occupants, a couple working for an orchestra were away.

The police said that the accused — Anil Chauhan and Salman Sheikh —both 19-year-olds had resorted to stealing to fund their drug habit. “The couple, whose house was broken into, were at work on the night of December 14 when Chauhan and Sheikh committed the crime,” said Assistant Police Inspector Rajesh Kewale of RCF police station.

The families of two boys had shifted to the RCF MHADA Colony a few months ago from Borivli. “There the boys had been arrested in a robbery case, and for attempting to flee from prison,” said Police Inspector Shailesh Pasalwar.

“Salman and I are addicted to hashish. We used to steal and use the money for drugs,” Chauhan, who hails from a family of labourers, has told the police.