Chain snatchers on bike skid their way into trouble

Duo fall from bike after stealing from 55-yr-old woman; thrashed by BMC poll campaigners.

Two thieves trying to flee after snatching a 55-year-old woman’s gold chain in Malad (West) ran out of luck after their bike skidded near a political party’s election campaign rally.

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While the pillion rider fled, the biker was beaten up and handed over to the police by the campaigners, who had earlier rushed to help the duo, the police said.

According to the police, on Wednesday, Mithlesh Lath, a resident of Agarwal residency in Shankar Nagar, Malad (West), was walking near Orlem Church when two men riding on a Yamaha bike snatched her gold chain worth Rs 70,000.

They hadn’t gone too far when their bike skidded. “One of their tyres got punctured and the rider lost control of the vehicle,” said a police officer from Malad police station on condition of anonymity.

People participating in an election campaign rally saw the accident and rushed to help the duo. Afraid that he would be caught, the pillion rider escaped, leaving behind his partner.

While the campaigners were helping the biker, they heard Lath shouting for help. She then told the group about how the duo was trying to flee with her chain.

“We thought that the men were in need as they had met with an accident. However, when the woman came screaming and said that they stole her chain, some of the men got agitated and started beating the one who was left behind,” said Ankush Kumar, who was a part of the rally, adding that the police was called and the thief was handed over.

“The accused has been identified as Gulam Ali Sartaj Jafar, 28. He lives in Ambivli area in Kalyan. He has admitted to the crime. We are now searching for his accomplice,” said Mahesh Nivatkar, sub-inspector, Malad police station.

The police said they were trying to find out whether Jafar had a criminal background. “We are checking whether he is part of the Baluchi gang, which is known for duping senior citizens posing as cops. They [the gang] are based in Kalyan,” a police officer said.