Mumbai garage mechanic arrested for stealing cars to pay children’s school fees

He had stolen seven cars from Thane, Navi Mumbai and Mumbai

The Thane anti-extortion cell has arrested a garage mechanic who allegedly stole seven cars, changed their chassis number and engine number and sold them to customers at market value. Police said the accused had done so in order to pay the school fees of his six children.

The accused, Inayat Rehmatulla Shah,31, is a resident of Ghatkopar area.

Police said Shah used to buy cars damaged in accident that are auctioned by insurance companies. After the purchase, he would get original registration papers for the car. Shah would then steal a car of the same model and colour. He would then replace the stolen car’s number plate, chassis number and engine number with those of the car he had just purchased. Shah would then sell off the car at market price to customers.

“He had stolen seven cars from Thane, Navi Mumbai and Mumbai. We have recovered seven cars, which are valued at ₹40 lakh combined,” said Pradeep Sharma, senior police inspector from Thane anti-extortion cell.

Police said Shah had resorted to crime as he was unable to pay the school fees of his six children. When he tried to borrow money from family and friends, he had failed. Police said that following the advice of his friend Arjun Kumar, Shah decided upon stealing cars and selling them. Police are on the lookout for Kumar.

Hemant Dhole, police sub-inspector from Thane anti-extortion cell, said they are recording the statements of two of the car owners whose vehicles were stolen. A case has been registered with the Naupada police station, he said.