Cop who identified serial molester had nabbed him a year ago

It was sheer sharp memory of assistant police inspector Manohar Harpude, that helped the police to get hold of Ayaz Ansari, who is accused of molesting at least 12 minor girls. When Harpude had seen the sketch of the suspect who had one white eye, it reminded him of a robber whom he had arrested a year ago.

According to Harpude, who is presently working with the crime branch, Ansari used to steal mobile phones from students and was arrested on January 10, 2013, by the Malad police.

Harpude said, "Ansari was released from the judicial custody in June last year. I had arrested him in a case wherein he had threatened a 16-year-old college student while he was returning home. He accosted the victim near the railway crossing between Malad and Goregaon railway stations and threatened him with a knife."

"He had stolen the girl's mobile phone and cash. After this incident, for two days I was stationed near the railway crossing and managed to get hold of Ansari. During the investigation, we had recovered three mobiles phones, which he had robbed from the other students," he said.