Mumbai police has busted a gang which allegedly stole laptop computers, after the arrest of two people from whom as many 182 laptops and computer monitors, collectively valued at Rs 1.07 crore were seized, a police official said here today.
The gang's activities came to light after the arrest of Santosh Bhosle (38) and Mohammed Qurshid Aalam (40) from near a hotel in suburban Dahisar last Tuesday, Mumbai police crime branch (Unit XII) police inspector Milind Khetle said.
A laptop and a monitor were confiscated from them after they led cops to their hideout in neighbouring Navi Mumbai, from where as many as 182 laptops and monitors collectively valued at Rs 1.07 crore were seized, Khetle said.
"The two accused spilled the beans by revealing the name of their accomplice, who is a security guard at a warehouse in Obil village, in Bhiwandi, where computer components of a well known company were stored. As per the conspiracy, on the intervening night of August 17 and August 18, the guard set fire to the warehouse after secretly removing 182 expensive laptops and computer monitors, which were then handed over to the two accused," he said.
"The 182 pieces were part of a large quantity of items stored in the warehouse. The guard allowed the remaining items to be destroyed in the fire so that it looked like an accident," Khetle said.
After a huge fire, the Narpoli police had initially begun an inquiry along the lines of an accidental fire.
However, after the Mumbai crime branch busted the gang, the Narpoli police booked those arrested under Sections 454 (house-trespass or house-breaking in order to commit offence punishable with imprisonment), Section 457 (house-trespass or house-breaking at night in order to commit offence punishable with imprisonment), Section 381 (theft by clerk or servant of property in possession of master), Section 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house), Section 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to shield offender) and Section 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.
The Narpoli police has also taken the custody of those arrested for further investigation, the police official said.
