A 35-year-old homeless woman, Sunita Sunil Dhotre, has been arrested by the Malad police for allegedly stealing Rs 1.10 lakh from a flat in Malad West. The cash had been kept aside by the homeowner for his aunt's cataract surgery. Police traced her through CCTV footage from the crime scene to Goregaon, leading to her arrest. She was allegedly living on a footpath near the Goregaon bus depot in Goregaon East.
Theft reported
According to police, the theft took place on July 14 at Tulsi Niwas on Sainath Road. Complainant Dilip Prakash Hasija, 41, had left for work after keeping the money in a bag at home for the scheduled surgery. When he returned around 1.30 pm, he found the bag missing from the hall.
CCTV trail
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the building and surrounding areas, which captured a woman entering the complainant’s apartment and exiting shortly after with two bags, including one slung over her shoulder. By tracking her movements across multiple cameras, police mapped her escape route. She walked to Malad railway station, boarded a train to Goregaon, and then headed toward Goregaon East.
Police action
“Acting on the CCTV trail, we launched a search near Goregaon bus depot, where the suspect was spotted. With the assistance of women police personnel, she was detained and brought to Malad police station for questioning. During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to the theft and was formally arrested,” a police officer told mid-day.
The investigation has also revealed her alleged involvement in another house theft case registered at Vakola police station, suggesting she may be a repeat offender. An FIR was registered under Section 305(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on July 16, following which the Crime Detection Team took over the probe.
Probe team
>> DCP Datta Karale (North Region, Zone 1)
>> Senior Inspector Vilas Lokare
>> PSI Akshay Mandale
[popcorn number="July 14" desc="Day the cash was stolen" class="Default"]
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