Multi-agency operation leads to arrest of thieves behind string of train robberies

MARGAO: In a collaborative effort involving the Konkan Railway police, the Special Task Force, Mumbai Police, Byculla Crime Branch Mumbai, and Maharashtra law enforcement agencies, three individuals responsible for a series of thefts targeting passengers traveling on Konkan Railway trains have been apprehended. The police successfully recovered stolen property on the instance of the arrested men.

The accused were identified as Rameshwar Kumar, 28, a native of West Champaran, Bihar, and Khublal Kailash Mahto, 28, and Vinod Sonaram Mahato, 28, both natives of Dhanbad, Jharkhand.

Deputy Superintendent  of Police Gurudas Kadam, from the Konkan Railway police, revealed that an offence was registered on August 21 based on a complaint by Xavier Edapully, a 62-year-old passenger from Kaduppassery, Thrissur, Kerala. Edapully reported that on August 8, while traveling with his family on the Kochuvelli Garibrath Express from Mumbai to Thrissur, Kerala, an unidentified individual stole two handbags containing valuable items, including gold ornaments, together worth Rs 4.7 lakh.

DySP Kadam, who oversaw the investigation, shared information about the crime with the Special Task Force, Mumbai Police, Byculla Crime Branch Mumbai, and Maharashtra law enforcement agencies. In a coordinated operation, the three accused individuals were apprehended. They were residing together in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.

Further investigation revealed that after committing the theft, the accused individuals used the complainant’s daughter’s credit card to make online purchases through the Flipkart app. These items were also recovered at the instance of the accused.

The police have recovered a gold bracelet weighing 4.01 grams (worth Rs 24,000), a gold chain (waistband) worth Rs 1,25,000, a small gold bangle worth Rs. 24,500, a ring weighing 8.01 grams worth Rs 48,000, a pair of gold anklets worth Rs 95,000, one Redmi mobile phone, nine gold coins weighing two grams each worth Rs 1,19,340, three wristwatches worth Rs 21,000, and one mobile phone worth Rs 17,999.

In August alone, three major thefts were reported by train passengers between Pernem and Canacona stations in Goa, including one at Margao railway station, where a couple was relieved of their valuables even before boarding the train. In one case, the thieves withdrew cash using a stolen debit card, said Konkan police.

The accused individuals have been remanded in police custody for 10 days by the JMFC Court in Pernem.