Navi Mumbai Gold Heist: Four Arrested, Mastermind Escapes to Uttar Pradesh
In a significant breakthrough, the NRI Coastal police and crime branch teams have arrested four individuals in connection with a daring daylight robbery at Sangam Gold Jewellery store in Sector 42A, Seawoods, Navi Mumbai. The incident, which occurred in December last year, involved three unidentified men disguised as women wearing burqas who threatened the jeweller with a gun and fled with gold ornaments.
Details of the Robbery and Arrests
The robbers made off with approximately 250 grams of gold, valued at around Rs 25 lakh, according to the jeweller's claim. Over the past three months, authorities have gradually apprehended four accused persons. This includes two of the three men who directly executed the crime inside the store. The other two arrested individuals were aides waiting outside in a car, keeping vigil during the heist.
The mastermind, who was among the trio that entered the jewellery store, remains at large and is currently being traced by the police. After the robbery, all five men sped away in the getaway vehicle.
Police Investigation and Technical Expertise
A police officer familiar with the case revealed that investigators used technical expertise to track the escape route of the robbers. The car used in the crime was traced and subsequently seized after it was found abandoned on the Thane-Belapur Road. By obtaining the vehicle's registration number, police retrieved owner details from the Regional Transport Office (RTO).
It was confirmed that the car was not stolen but belonged to one of the accused. Arrests were made in various locations: one robber was apprehended from the Kalyan-Dombivli area, two others were arrested from Patna, Bihar, and the fourth accused was taken into custody from the Navi Mumbai area itself.
Recovery of Stolen Goods and Interrogation Findings
From the four arrested accused, who are currently in jail custody, police have recovered only 70 grams of gold ornaments. Additionally, a few one-gram gold-plated ornaments were retrieved—items the robbers had gathered from the display shelf at the jewellery store during the heist.
During interrogation while in police custody remand, the four arrested individuals disclosed that they were facing a financial crisis. The absconding accused, identified as the mastermind, planned the robbery at the jewellery store. His residence was traced to Vithalwadi in Kalyan taluka, but he escaped with his family to his hometown in Uttar Pradesh.
Accordingly, a police team is being prepared to be sent to Uttar Pradesh to arrest him and bring him to justice.
Planning and Execution of the Crime
The arrested accused revealed during questioning that they conducted a thorough recce in the Seawoods area before targeting Sangam Jewellery store. They specifically chose this store because there was no security guard deployed outside. Furthermore, they noted the timing when the jeweller would be alone at the store, ensuring minimal resistance during the robbery.
This case highlights the meticulous planning involved in the crime, as well as the persistent efforts of law enforcement agencies in Navi Mumbai to solve such high-profile robberies. The use of disguises and firearms underscores the bold nature of the heist, which has now led to multiple arrests but continues with the hunt for the primary orchestrator.
