The Navi Mumbai crime branch successfully apprehended four men involved in a daring armed robbery at a jewellery store in Kharghar, after a public shooting incident that caused widespread chaos. The robbery, which took place on July 29, saw the accused looting gold ornaments worth Rs11.80 lakh.
The arrested individuals were identified as Mohammed Rizwan Mohammed Ali Shaikh (27) and Azhruddin Hussainodeen Shaikh (28) from Surat, Gujarat, along with Taha Tanweer Parvez Sindhi (21) and Rajvir Rameshwar Kumavat (20), who hailed from Udaipur, Rajasthan.
The three primary robbers, wearing masks, helmets, and jackets, stormed the jewellery store in Sector 35 of Kharghar. After looting 236 grams of gold ornaments, they fled the scene on a scooter. In a desperate attempt to escape, they opened fire, creating panic among bystanders. The entire incident was captured by an onlooker and circulated online, aiding the investigation.
The crime branch, with the help of various state teams, conducted a thorough investigation involving the review of CCTV footage, call data records, and extensive technical analysis. Despite the robbers’ efforts to keep a low profile and abandon the getaway vehicle, the police successfully tracked down the culprits.
After about 18 days, the scooter, abandoned at Nagpada, was recovered along with the stolen gold. The two country-made pistols used in the robbery were also seized.
Taha Tanweer Parvez Sindhi was found to have conducted a month-long reconnaissance of the jewellery store before the robbery. The entire heist was meticulously planned, with the accused having spent time in Kamothe and frequently visiting a relative in Kharghar. Their past criminal records involved small-time smuggling of drugs and alcohol in states where these were prohibited, which the gang reportedly planned to escalate into something more significant.
The accused have been remanded to police custody till August 22, as further investigation is ongoing. The police are also exploring whether other individuals were involved, which could lead to additional charges under dacoity laws.