An 11-year-old boy has become a hero of sorts in his locality in Virar West after he grabbed hold of a 52-year-old thief who was trying to escape with his mother's necklace.  Police said around 12.30 pm, Tanish Mahadik, who had just returned from school, was eating lunch while watching TV.

His mother had gone to drop his sister to school. Someone knocked on the door and when Tanish opened it, told him he had come to repair the gas pipeline. Tanish told him to come back later. But the man, later identified as Abdul Gafar Khan, returned a few minutes later and when Tanish opened the door, barged into the house. He then threatened Tanish and went into the bedroom.