27 May,2026 09:26 PM IST | Mumbai | Abhitash Singh
Police said the arrest has helped them solve three cases registered at Rabale Police Station. Pic/Special Arrangement
The Navi Mumbai Police in Maharashtra arrested a 31-year-old man in connection with a series of chain-snatching incidents in Airoli and nearby areas, officials said on Wednesday.
The accused, identified as Amit Gaud, is suspected of targeting women pedestrians and fleeing with gold ornaments.
Police said the arrest has helped them solve three cases registered at Rabale Police Station.
The most recent offence took place on May 1 at around 3.30 pm, when a 45-year-old woman, Pragya Gurunath Vichare, was walking home near Shiv Mandir Colony Road in Airoli.
According to the complaint, the accused allegedly assaulted her by hitting her neck and forcibly snatched her 15-gram gold mangalsutra before escaping from the spot.
An FIR was registered under Section 309(6) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and an investigation was launched immediately.
A special police team was formed under senior officers including Commissioner Milind Bharambe and other officials.
Police scanned CCTV footage from the crime scene and surrounding areas and used technical surveillance along with informant inputs to track the suspect's movements.
The accused was eventually detained from Kalwa by a team led by Assistant Police Inspector Avinash Garad and PSI Rahul Garad.
During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to the chain-snatching incident and was linked to two additional cases in Rabale police jurisdiction.
Police recovered two stolen gold mangalsutras worth around Rs 1.65 lakh in total. One weighed 12 grams and was valued at Rs 1.20 lakh, while the second weighed 3 grams and was valued at Rs 45,000.
Officials suspect that the accused may be involved in more chain-snatching cases across Navi Mumbai and nearby areas. Police have said that further investigation is in progress.
