US national robbed of Rs 26 lakh jewellery inside South Mumbai five-star hotel; driver, accomplice arrested

Realising the valuables were missing, the victim approached Colaba Police and lodged a complaint. Representational Pic

A 48-year-old US citizen undergoing medical treatment in Mumbai was allegedly robbed of diamond-studded jewellery and an expensive wristwatch worth a combined Rs 26 lakh from his room at a South Mumbai five-star hotel. Colaba Police have arrested the victim's driver and another man in connection with the case.

Police said the American national, a resident of West Virginia, has been in the city since June for treatment related to Parkinson's disease. Soon after his arrival, a local acquaintance introduced him to a drive, identified as one of the arrested accused, to assist with daily hospital visits.

According to investigators, the driver later brought his associate, 35-year-old Hussain Hamid Sayyad, into the picture, telling the victim that he would help with shopping and local guidance. Trusting them, the visitor accompanied Hussain on multiple outings between November 8 and 10.

On the afternoon of November 10, Hussain accompanied the victim back to his hotel room after a shopping trip. The victim, feeling unwell, rested for about an hour. When he awoke, Hussain had vanished and so had his gold chain and diamond bracelet (together worth around ₹25 lakh) and a high-end wristwatch worth Rs 1 lakh.

Realising the valuables were missing, the victim approached Colaba Police and lodged a complaint.

During the probe, police suspected that both the driver and Hussain had allegedly conspired to commit the theft. When a team picked up Hussain, he was allegedly wearing the stolen watch. Both men have been arrested and remanded in police custody until November 20.

Police said the stolen jewellery has not yet been recovered, and investigators are probing whether the duo is linked to other similar thefts involving foreign nationals in the area.