Mumbai: Chain-snatcher who assaulted 65-year-old woman caught in a week

The police zeroed in on the pillion rider, Aftab Mohammad Umar Khan, by tracking their movements on CCTV footage

Within a week of chain-snatchers attacking a 65-year-old on her morning walk in Dahanukarwadi, Kandivali West, the Charkop Police have arrested one of the accused. The crime took place on May 31, when the victim was walking in her neighbourhood.

Two bike-borne men approached her near the Mahavir Nagar area, and the pillion rider attempted to snatch her purse, which contained Rs 2,000 in cash and a few personal items. But the woman held on tightly and, in the tussle, both she and the accused fell to the ground.

The victim was dragged a short distance, but still refused to let go. The pillion rider then assaulted her, grabbed the purse, and fled the scene on the motorcycle. The victim sustained injuries to her head and other parts of the body. Passersby came to her aid and alerted the police control room.

The Charkop Police launched an investigation under the guidance of Zone 11 DCP Anand Bhoite and Senior PI Vinayak Chauhan. Due to low visibility at night, the number plate of the vehicle wasn't clear. Detection officers API Dhananjay Awhad and PSI Abha Pawar, along with their team, scanned footage from more than 150 CCTV cameras to trace the accuseds' escape route. They then zeroed in on Aftab Mohammad Umar Khan, a 24-year-old habitual offender with past cases of motor vehicle theft and NDPS offences registered at Kasturba Marg police station.

Khan was apprehended late on Friday from his residence in Rajendra Nagar, Borivli East. "Khan was produced in court today and remanded to police custody. Search operations to nab his accomplice are still ongoing," said an officer from Charkop Police.