The MHB Police have successfully dismantled a gang involved in the theft of steel ice cream carts, leading to the arrest of three individuals. The accused were allegedly stealing carts from various locations and selling them in states like Rajasthan and Kolkata.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Jeetmal Madhu Lal Jaat (18), Kailash Bherulal Meghwal (22), and Lokesh Kumar Mangilal Meghwal (21). The gang primarily targeted carts made of mild steel, which are commonly used by ice cream and falooda vendors.
On April 11, an ice cream cart was stolen from Dahisar West. The owner, Hiralal Gujar (46), who owned three similar carts, realized the theft and immediately filed a complaint at the MHB Police Station.
Under the guidance of DCP Anand Bhoite (Zone 11) and Senior Inspector Mahesh Balwantrao, the police team, led by PSI Sandeep Gorade, launched an investigation. They managed to trace the vehicle used by the suspects to transport the stolen cart.
An officer from MHB Police Station revealed, “While tracking the vehicle, the driver received a call from one of the accused instructing him to transport another stolen cart to CSMT station. As the driver reached Hindustan Naka, the accused arrived with another stolen cart to load it onto the vehicle, and our team apprehended them red-handed.”
Further interrogation revealed that the suspects were employed at an ice cream company near Hindustan Naka, Kandivali West, where local vendors buy their ice cream. Police discovered that the gang had already sent a stolen cart from Dahisar to Kolkata via a courier company using the railway network and were planning to send another cart to Rajasthan.
A second case has been registered at Charkop Police Station. The stolen carts, made of pure steel, were valued between Rs 2 to 2.5 lakh each.
“We are coordinating with the courier company to obtain the delivery address for the consignment sent to Kolkata. The investigation is ongoing, and we are looking into whether more individuals are involved or if there are additional stolen carts in circulation,” an officer said.
The three arrested individuals were produced before the court and have been remanded to police custody.
