Kandivli: Man wearing nightie robs jewellery worth Rs 8 lakh; strikes four times in 15 days

Shivam Society at Fateh Baug in Kandivli West

Residents of Kandivli West are on edge after four housebreaking incidents were reported from the area within a fortnight. In each case, an unknown man, said to be wearing a woman's nightgown, entered homes through open windows and escaped with jewellery worth lakhs while the residents were asleep inside.

On May 19, the accused entered a society located in front of the Kandivli police station. Using the same modus operandi, the man wearing a nightgown, threatened the complainant who woke up from his sleep, and fled with gold jewellery and cash worth Rs 8 lakh.

The complainant, Vishal Virendra Gandhi, 48, lives with his wife, son, father Virendra Gandhi, 78, and 76-year-old mother Veena at Shivam Society in Fateh Baug, Kandivli West. Last week, the accused targeted two societies on Kasturba Cross Road and another near Bal Bharti School in Kandivli West. He was caught on multiple CCTV cameras and is believed to have committed the break-ins between 2 am and 3 am, when the families were in deep sleep.

Virendra Gandhi and his wife Veena stand near the window from where the accused had entered on May 19. The outside grill wasn't locked at the time of the incident. Pics/By Special Arrangement

Speaking with mid-day, Virendra said, "Around 2.30 am on May 19, we were all asleep. Due to the heat, we had left the window partially open. My daughter-in-law and her son had gone to Panvel. The unknown man climbed up to the first floor using the AC unit on the ground floor and entered our home through the window. He went into the bedroom where my son Vishal was sleeping. He opened the cupboard and began stealing gold ornaments.

Some coins fell, causing Vishal to wake up. The accused threatened and slapped him twice, warning him not to make a sound or else he would kill the entire family. "My son stayed quiet, and the thief escaped with the jewellery, ran after him, but the culprit managed to flee using the front door," he added.

Vishal added, "I woke up with the sound and at first thought it was my father, but then I saw a man with his face covered. He threatened to kill the entire family. I begged him not to hurt anyone. I offered him my wallet, from which he took around Rs 1500. I also offered my phone, but he refused to take it and fled with the jewellery."

According to Vishal, the accused was captured on CCTV cameras in a neighbouring society. "He spoke fluent Hindi and was about five-and-a-half feet tall. I informed the police about everything. We've lost everything we earned," he said.

The same accused also entered a temple located in the same complex in the Fateh Baug area before the incident. But the security guard was alert, causing the accused to flee. After this, he entered the neighbouring Satyam Society. He entered an apartment through an open window, but the family woke up, causing him to flee.

Glitters, but not gold

Around 2.30 am on May 9, a similar incident occurred at Saphalya Society on Kasturba Cross Road. The accused climbed up to the second floor and entered the Dharod family's flat. While the family slept in the bedroom, he stole jewellery and escaped. However, in the morning, the family discovered that the stolen items were imitation jewellery - the real gold remained untouched inside a locker.

Subsequently, the same accused reportedly entered a neighbouring society and escaped with gold jewellery worth R6 lakh. The Kandivli police have registered an FIR in that case. During the investigation, they found the same man was also involved in a theft at a society near Bal Bharti School, Kandivli West, where he escaped with jewellery worth several lakhs.

Official Speak

Speaking with mid-day, Senior Inspector Ravindra Adane of Kandivli police station, said, "We have reviewed all the CCTV footage, and the accused appears to be the same individual involved in earlier cases. He has committed multiple thefts in the Malad and Kandivli over the past few days. We are actively tracing him. Night patrolling in the area has been increased. We are instructing all watchmen to stay alert and immediately inform the police if they spot any suspicious person. The accused will be arrested very soon. The accused didn't use any weapons while going about his activities."