According to police sources, the accused is known for his peculiar pattern of theft —he exclusively targeted shops such as medical stores, hardware shops, sweet shops, and grocery stores, stealing only cash. He avoided valuables such as jewellery or mobile phones
38-year-old Azan Khan alias Abhayraj Motilal Saroj alias Monu. PIC VIA SAMIUULAH KHAN
The Kandivali Police have arrested a man accused of carrying out over 100 burglaries across Mumbai.
The accused has been identified as 38-year-old Azan Khan alias Abhayraj Motilal Saroj alias Monu.
According to the police sources, Monu is known for his peculiar pattern of theft —he exclusively targeted medical stores, hardware shops, sweet shops, and grocery stores, stealing only cash and avoided valuables such as jewellery or mobile phones.
Whatever cash he managed to steal, Monu immediately spent them on drugs and then indulged in a lavish spree. Afterwards, he reportedly slept for one or two days. Once the effect of the drugs wore off, he would venture out again to commit another theft.
“So far, Monu has allegedly committed over 100 thefts across Mumbai. With his arrest, the Kandivali Police have solved 10 house-breaking cases, including six registered at Kandivali Police Station and others in Malad and Bangur Nagar,” said an officer.
Multiple police teams across Mumbai were on the lookout for him. Monu, who resides in Malwani Police's jurisdiction, had committed several similar crimes in the area. Malwani Police were on the lookout for the accused for the past one year. Eventually, Kandivali Police traced and arrested him from the Malwani area, an officer said.
Although Monu’s family lives in Malwani, he did not reside with them. He typically committed thefts between 2 am and 4 am.
Under the guidance of Deputyt Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sandeep Jadhav and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Nita Padvi, Senior Inspector Karan Sonkawade, Detection Officer Assistant Inspector Hemant Geete, and Sub-inspector Nitin Satam led the operation. Their team kept Monu under surveillance for nearly 10 days, studying his movement patterns. It was discovered that he regularly passed through the signal near the Marve Road graveyard around 2.30 am each night.
Upon reviewing CCTV footage, his movements were confirmed. On Saturday night, Geete’s team spotted Monu, followed him, and caught him red-handed while he was attempting to lift the shutter of a shop.
Further investigation revealed that the bike he used was also stolen from the Matunga area.
“We had been monitoring his routes for several days and finally succeeded in apprehending him,” said an officer.
Monu was arrested and produced before the court, which remanded him in police custody. Efforts are underway to recover the stolen property.
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