Police nab mall thief who shielded his face from CCTV cameras using an umbrella

As the police started questioning each of the mall’s 150 guards, the accused developed cold feet and fled to Bihar

The police on Wednesday arrested a 46-year-old security guard for stealing Rs9.15 lakh cash from a mall in Bandra (West) in July. As the suspect had shielded his face from CCTV cameras using an umbrella, the police could not identify him. However, he emerged as the sole suspect during investigations.

The accused, Ramankumar Mishra, used an umbrella to shield his face from CCTV cameras. (Screengrab of CCTV camera footage.)

According to the Bandra police, the accused, Ramankumar Mishra, robbed Reliance Mall on Hill Road. Mishra, a native of Muzzafarpur in Bihar, had been working as a guard at the mall for the past six months. He had come to the city after he received a text message offering him a job as a security guard in a private firm.

On the night of the robbery, Mishra entered the mall from the emergency exit. He picked up an umbrella lying inside and used it to shield his face from the CCTV cameras. Only his feet could be seen.

Mishra even reported for duty on the next two days, knowing he had not left behind any evidence leading to him.

However, as the police started questioning each of the mall’s 150 guards, Mishra developed cold feet and fled to Bihar. “In Bihar, he bought a car worth Rs4 lakh, deposited Rs2 lakh and also gave his friends money,” said senior police inspector Pandit Thakare of Bandra police station.

“After continued surveillance, we arrested him from Vile Parle. He has confessed,” said police inspector, crime, Sanjeev Bhole.

“A magistrate court remanded him in our custody till December 8. He has no prior criminal record,” said investigating officer Dhanaji Sathe.