Mumbai: Man arrested for snatching Rs 2.5 lakh from 77-year-old in Borivali East

The accused, Vijay Chander Sapte (25). PIC VIA SAMIULLAH KHAN

The Kasturba Marg police have arrested a 25-year-old man for allegedly snatching a bag containing Rs 2.5 lakh in cash from a 77-year-old retired businessman in Borivali East.

According to the police, the incident occurred on January 5, between 5 pm and 5:10 pm near the Omkareshwar Temple, close to the Western Express Highway in Borivali East. The complainant, Riddhesh Shah (77), a resident of Shantivan, Dahisar East, had collected Rs 2.5 lakh in cash from a money transfer office at Hari Om Plaza. The amount was sent by his daughter from Surat for his wife's medical treatment.

As Shah waited for an auto-rickshaw, an unidentified man ran up from behind, snatched the bag containing the cash from his hand, and fled towards the highway. Shah raised an alarm, but the accused managed to escape.

Following the complaint, officers from the Kasturba Marg police station and the crime detection team scanned CCTV footage from the area and identified the suspect. The accused, Vijay Chander Sapte (25), a resident of Navapada near Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali East, was later traced and arrested. During interrogation, he allegedly confessed to the crime.

Police said cash worth Rs 2.42 lakh has been recovered from the accused. A case has been registered at Kasturba Marg police station under Crime Register No. 08/26 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Further investigation is underway.