Crime Branch arrests six for robberies

MUMBAI: Six persons allegedly belonging to Ravi Poojari gang were arrested by the Crime Branch in connection with the robbery attempt in Vikhroli on January 9.

The city police on Friday said that four of the fleeing robbers were arrested the same day, while the other two were arrested later. The police also seized an automatic pistol, a revolver, a magazine and five live cartridges from them.

Joint commissioner of police (crime) Rakesh Maria said that the police had received specific information that a gang was planning another robbery at Andheri on the same day. The police laid a trap and arrested four of them -- Shailesh Jain alias Shukla, 27, Rohitdas Ghadge, 32, Rakesh Jaiswal, 23, Raju Tutade alias Raja, 23. Their interrogation led to the arrest of two more gang members Sunil Narayan Lakde, 23, and Girish Naik, 24, on Friday.

“Lakde used to receive inputs from Poojari, which he would then pass on to others to execute. He confessed to be working for Ravi Poojari’s gang,” said Maria.