25 December,2025 07:29 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish Vaktania
Thane Crime Branch (Unit-1) with the arrested accused and seized gold. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The Thane Crime Branch (Unit-1) has arrested two habitual chain snatchers and recovered 118 gram of gold jewellery, including seven gold chains worth Rs 14.16 lakh, from them. Police have identified the key accused in the case as Wasim Nurmohammed Shaikh, 31, a resident of Mumbra-Shilphata. Another accused has been identified as Yasin Siraj Khamare, 22.
Shaikh reportedly is a tennis ball cricket player from Navi Mumbai and a local champion. According to the police, Shaikh is a history-sheeter and was arrested before by Andheri police in May. The arrest took place following a complaint filed by a 65-year-old woman who was robbed of her 60 gram gold mangalsutra. The incident occurred around 11.30 pm on December 4 when she was travelling as a pillion on a scooter within the jurisdiction of the Rabodi police station.
(from left) Wasim Nurmohammed Shaikh, Yasin Siraj Khamare
Following the FIR, the Crime Branch Unit-1 launched a parallel investigation using technical surveillance and intelligence inputs. "Based on the FIR, Shaikh and his accomplice Khamare were arrested on December 18. During interrogation, Shaikh confessed that despite his sporting background and regular involvement in cricket, he turned to crime for quick money. He gradually moved away from sports and began targeting elderly women and commuters," said a police officer.
The accused duo admitted to committing seven chain snatching offences across Thane and Navi Mumbai. A total of 118 gram of gold jewellery valued at R14.16 lakh was recovered from them, said the police. Investigators also found that Shaikh has a prior case of chain snatching registered at Andheri police station, while Khamare has a similar offence registered at Vartaknagar police station. The operation was carried out by the Thane Crime Branch (Unit-1) under the guidance of Senior Police Inspector Sachin Gaikwad and his team.
