Four-year-old robbery solved, 2 held

The Crime Branch officers of Palghar on Sunday arrested two persons who were allegedly involved in a case of theft in Nalasopara four years back. The arrested persons have been identified as David Mohan Valmiki (35) and Feroz (35).

According to a Crime Branch officer, the duo had broken into the house of Seema Pednekar, a resident of Shree Prastha in Nalasopara (West), and stole valuables worth lakhs of rupees. Following the theft, they flew off to Delhi. He added that Valmiki and Feroz had several houses in Thane, Vasai and Virar in their scheme of things.

"They did odd jobs in Delhi, posed as businessmen and managed to purchase properties for themselves," said the officer and added: "We tracked them after an informer tipped us off about their involvement."

After their arrest, the Crime Brach cracked 16 cases and recovered valuables worth Rs16.7 lakh from them.

"Their modus operandi was to break into houses in the daytime and fly off to Delhi the same day. After selling off the stolen goods they came back to work in Bhayander as if they were leading a normal life," said Prashant Langi, assistant inspector, Palghar Crime Branch.

"We have arrested the duo under section 454 (house breaking) and 380 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code. They have been remanded in police custody. More such cases may get solved now," added Langi.

According to the Crime Branch, they are involved in similar crimes in other regions too.