Police today claimed to have foiled a dacoity attempt by arresting four members of a gang at a petrol pump at Kausa in Mumbra in the district.
Acting on a tip-off, officials of the Crime Branch laid a trap near the Subham Hotel at Shil Phata, Daighar on Monday and nabbed the four accused, though another one managed to escape, PI Rajendra Shirtode of the Crime Unit - I of the Thane police said.
One pistol, three live cartridges, two big choppers, a packet of chilli powder, rope and one toy pistol were recovered from their possession, he said.
The four accused have been identified as Satish Waman Koli (53), Alexander Maliaraj Tevendra (30), Girishkumar Nair (29) and Bharat Waman Bidar (30), police said adding that the fifth one was named Babu (30).
"The arrested are notorious criminals. Alexander and Bharat are the main accused, who lead the gang. All the five are history-sheeters and have been booked in several cases including murder and theft earlier," police said.
They have charged under sections 399, 402 of the IPC and 3 and 25 of the Arms Act the police said.
