Masterminds of robberies in marriage halls still at large in Mumbai

The wanted masterminds in the cases of stealing valuables at wedding ceremonies by children, it seems, are playing a game of hide and seek with the police.

According to reliable sources, a police team, which is currently camping in Madhya Pradesh to nab the other gang members in the cases, is being hoodwinked by the accused consistently. The accused are always aware of the movements of the police personnel and are thereby changing their hideouts accordingly.
So far, the Santa Cruz police, with help from the local police, have searched at a number of locations, but they have not been able to find the accused.

“They (the wanted gang members) are giving the police team a tough time. But we are sure that they will get caught sooner rather than later,” said a senior official involved with the investigation of the case.

According to the police, the gang consists of at least 18 people including children. Three of these children, who are all girls in the age group of nine to 11, have been held in the cases. Two others (adults), who later approached the police seeking release of these girls, were also arrested in the cases, as they too were found to be involved in the syndicate.

As per the police records, the modus operandi of the gang was simple — a couple of street urchins dressed in pretty dresses would enter the marriage halls or grounds where the marriages are being solemnised. The accused would first do a recce to find out where the valuables and gifts received by the wedded couple would be kept. The children would then slip away with the booty, the moment they got the chance.

So far, at least six cases of such robbery have been registered across various police stations.