Mumbai Police arrest five-member inter-state gang involved in mobile snatching at Sunburn Festival 2025

Police with five accused and the 19 mobile phones recovered from the gang. Pic/By Special Arrangement

Mumbai Police arrested five members of a well-dressed inter-state gang allegedly involved in mobile phone snatching at the Sunburn Festival 2025 in Sewri. The accused, residents of Delhi and Karnataka, reportedly targeted crowded events, blending in as festival-goers and using hired vehicles to avoid suspicion.

The festival, organised by Spacebound Web Lab Pvt Ltd, ran from December 19 to 21 at Sewri Timber Pond near Atal Setu. Anticipating thefts, Mumbai Police had deployed special teams for crowd monitoring and women's safety.

On December 20, two mobile snatching complaints were registered at Sewri police station. The police formed two special teams to investigate the cases and intercepted 24-year-old Udugalappa Dasa Bhovi from Shivamogga, Karnataka, recovering four phones.

In a parallel operation, four more accused - Shahbaz Bhole Khan alias Shoaib, 28; Mohitkumar Ramkumar Patel, 25; Nikhil Eknath Yadav, 19; and Maheshkumar Suneharilal Kumbhar, 20; all residents of Delhi - were detained in a Kia Carens near K-Shed, Indiranagar. Police seized 15 stolen phones and the car allegedly used in the crime. In total, 19 mobile phones and a car valued at Rs 19.14 lakh were recovered.

According to the complaint filed by a 28-year-old doctor, the accused allegedly snatched his mobile phone while he was recording videos inside the festival venue around 9.30 pm on December 20. The accused allegedly pushed him before fleeing with the phone.

Senior Inspector Rohit Khot, Sewri police, said the gang is suspected to have infiltrated several crowded events across the country to commit similar thefts, and that the accused are being questioned to ascertain the wider network behind the crimes. "We suspect the involvement of a larger organised gang, and further investigation is underway," he said.