A blue water bottle and a Rs 20 UPI transaction helped Vakola police crack a chain-snatching case involving a pregnant woman in Santacruz East and arrest a 22-year-old man in Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
The incident took place on October 7, when the 31-year-old woman was returning home from work. According to the police, the accused followed her into a lane beside Demello Compound, near Datt Mandir Road, and allegedly snatched her gold mangalsutra before fleeing. A case was registered at Vakola police station under Section 309(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
How bottle provided breakthrough
Investigators examined footage from around 200 to 300 CCTV cameras to reconstruct the suspect’s movements and identify his escape route. The police initially circulated his images to police stations across Mumbai but received no useful leads. His lack of a previous criminal record also made identification more challenging.
A closer examination of footage from shops near the crime scene revealed a crucial detail: the suspect was seen carrying a blue water bottle in some recordings but appeared empty-handed in others.
Investigators visited shops in the area and found footage showing the suspect purchasing a water bottle. The recording also captured the payment, made through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
By matching the CCTV timestamp with the shopkeeper’s transaction history, the police identified a payment of R20. They obtained the Know Your Customer (KYC) details linked to the transaction and traced the mobile number associated with it. A police team subsequently travelled to Rakholi in Silvassa, where the suspect was traced and arrested.
“The accused had no previous criminal record. We circulated his CCTV images to police stations across Mumbai, but initially received no leads. The blue water bottle and the Rs 20 UPI transaction eventually helped us establish his identity and trace him to Silvassa,” said an officer involved in the investigation.
Online gaming losses allegedly drove him to crime
The accused, identified as Ajay Aniruddharam Kumar, allegedly confessed to the crime during questioning, according to the investigating officer.
Originally from Bihar, Kumar lives with his parents in Silvassa and works for a company. The police said he had developed a habit of playing online games and had lost substantial sums, including his salary. Facing financial difficulties, he allegedly turned to chain-snatching to make money, the officer added.
The team of investigators
PSI Wader was the arresting officer. The investigation team included API Maheshwar Talekar, PSI Sushantkumar Patil, PSI Pathak, PSI Tate and the NDPS team, ASI Masane, and police personnel Bhise, Joshi, Gaikwad, Gurav, Bhosale, Munne, Omkar Gaikwad, Ingle, Gawali, and Shenvi. PSI Kendre, the cyber officer, and police constable Sagar Gaikwad of West Regional Office 1 provided special assistance.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of the Additional Commissioner of Police, Western Regional Division; the Deputy Commissioner of Police, West Zone 1; the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Vakola Division; and senior officers of Vakola police station.
Jewellery worth Rs 1.2 lakh
According to the complaint, the stolen jewellery comprised two gold chains weighing approximately four grams and collectively valued at Rs 40,000, and a gold mangalsutra weighing around 10 grams and valued at Rs 80,000. The total estimated value of the stolen jewellery is Rs 1.2 lakh. According to the police release, efforts to recover the property are underway.
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