Pickpocket was well dressed, spoke English

The Railway Crime branch arrested a 51-year-old man from Andheri station who used to pick wallets of commuters’ travelling in the first class compartments of local trains.

The Railway Crime branch arrested a 51-year-old man from Andheri station who used to pick wallets of commuters’ travelling in the first class compartments of local trains.

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The accused claimed he was a garments businessman.

Ghulam Sikandar Kibriya was arrested on Monday night by the Vasai unit of the crime branch while he was fleeing after stealing cash from a commuter.

“Kibriya has been arrested on charges of theft. We are inquiring about his past cases,” said Dilip Chavan, assistant commissioner of police, railway crime branch.

Officials said Kibriya had stolen the wallet of Parikshit Lalit Kumar Jaisalya (30), a Santacruz resident.

The incident had occurred in the first class compartment of a Borivli-bound slow train.

“Around 8.50 pm, when the train reached platform number 1 at Andheri, Kibriya alighted and tried to escape,” said an officer.

Meanwhile, Jaisalya realised that his wallet was missing and raised an alarm. Commuters at the platform and those onboard were alerted and started searching for the thief.

A constable of the Vasai unit of crime branch was present at the platform. Hearing the commotion, when he came to inquire, he spotted Kibriya trying to sneak away from the crowd and finding his movements suspicious, caught hold of him.

“Rs 2,000 were found on Kibriya and he also carried a first class pass. He later confessed that he had stolen a commuter's wallet in the train,” said a senior officer.

Kibriya was then arrested by the railway police.

He told the police he stayed at a lodge in Bhendi Bazaar.

He claimed he was first-time offender and became greedy on seeing Jaisalya’s wallet.

“The address turned out to be fake and further investigations revealed that Kibriya hailed from Kolkata,” the officer added.

The officer said: “Kibriya used to shuttle between Kolkata and Mumbai. He had a monthly first class pass and used to rob commuters on train. He used to be well-dressed and speak in English.”