Mumbai: Serial snatcher targeting busy D-Mart shoppers arrested

Representational Image. File Pic

The MHB Police have arrested a notorious ‘serial snatcher' accused of stealing women's purses and valuables. According to the police, the accused, identified as Bapi Ratan Bhattacharya, 53, used to take advantage of crowded shopping areas, especially popular supermarket chains like D Mart, and snatch purses and valuables from customers' shopping trolleys.

Bhattacharya was apprehended in Mira Road on Saturday. Police said he is a habitual offender and has been involved in over 10 similar thefts across various D Mart outlets across the city.

Police sources revealed that Bhattacharya would visit crowded shopping centres and discreetly steal purses containing cash, ATM cards, and valuables, particularly targeting women who were busy shopping.

His latest theft came to light following a complaint filed by a resident of Dahisar West. According to the woman, while she was shopping with her 2-year-old son at D Mart located at Kandarpada in Dahisar, her purse, containing documents, cards, and R8000 in cash, was stolen from the shopping trolley.

According to the complaint, within minutes of the theft, R20,000 was fraudulently withdrawn from her husband's account using a stolen ATM card.

Based on CCTV footage and technical evidence, under the guidance and supervision of DCP Sandeep Jadhav Zone XI, Senior Inspector Harish Gavli and PSI Nilesh Patil, along with his detection team, began the investigation and traced Bhattacharya's movements and eventually arrested him from Mira Road.

Police said Bhattacharya confessed to committing multiple thefts in similar fashion across different D Mart branches.

"More than 10 criminal cases have been registered against him in Mumbai and surrounding area police stations. It is said that whenever there is a complaint of theft in any supermarket chain, Bhattacharya is the first suspect. We have solved two cases after Bhattacharya's arrest," said an officer.

The accused has been booked under relevant sections of the BNS and IT Act, said police, adding further investigation is underway to trace his other offences.