Borivli police busted an inter-state gang that used online tickets to enter Navratri Garba venues and steal from unattended bags. Two accused were arrested on October 20, cracking multiple Mumbai theft cases.
Phones stolen
The case came to light after Karan Dinesh Gadvi, 28, a driver, filed a complaint after all six mobile phones kept in his bag went missing during a Garba event at Kora Kendra Ground No. 1, Borivli West, on October 19.
Quick arrest
Led by DCP Sandeep Ghuge of Zone 2, North Region, and Senior Inspector Pushpalata Mandale of Borivli police station, the detection team examined CCTV footage to track down the suspects. Both face charges under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, with police seeking three days of custody.
Tanveer Riyaz Damara, alias Tanveer Iliyas (right) Arif Mohammad Shafiq Hussain, 30
Active probe
The stolen phones remain unrecovered as police hunt for remaining alleged associates. Police suspect the stolen phones may have been sold to people who dismantle them and sell their components rather than reselling the devices for regular use. Investigators are probing whether a wider network is involved.
Gang network
Damara allegedly has a criminal record dating back to 2010, with cases registered at BKC, Juhu and Malwani police stations. He is suspected of being the mastermind of a city-based ‘tak-tak’ gang that robbed motorists by distracting them.
According to police sources, he brought associates from Delhi to Mumbai for thefts, who then returned to Delhi with their shares. The gang recently pivoted to stealing phones at crowded metropolitan concerts and events across Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad.
Police Speak
A police officer, Borivli police station
‘During the CCTV examination, investigators found that the suspects had visited the Kora Kendra Garba venue on an earlier occasion as well.’
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