The police claimed to have foiled plans of a gang to loot a real estate developer from Kalwa, after the arrest of four notorious criminals of the Sameer Pathan gang in Nashik.
Addressing a press conference here today evening, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Parag Manere told reporters that the police seized three pistols, eight live cartridges, a knife, and a toy pistol besides an Innova vehicle from the gang.
The gang was allegedly involved in a number of serious crimes including murder, attempt to murder, dacoity and burning of cars, the police official said.
MCOCA has been slapped on some of the gang members for their offences in Nashik, mostly within Ambad police station limits, the police official said.
The gang members were also allegedly involved in the murders of Ajay Mangate and Bhim Pagare, which were both political murders, the police official said.
The police official named those arrested as Ganesh Suresh Wagh (25), Anil Dadasaheb Bendre (33), Yogesh Kiran Shevre (33), Nikhil Balu Pagare (21) and Mukesh Dalpatsingh Rajput (24).
Wagh had as many as 27 offences to his credit he was detained under the MCOCA and served a five-year jail term.
ACP Nagesh Lohar and ACP Bharat Shelke who also addressed the press conference said that gang leader Sameer Pathan is in jail from where he controlled the gang.
Based on a tip-off, a police team led by police inspector Ravindra Doiphode kept a vigil at the Retibunder locality.
They were nabbed late last evening after which weapons were seized from them, foiling their plans to loot around Rs 30 lakh from a real estate developer, the police officials said.
The police has obtained custody of the arrested upto June 30, and are in the process of finding out if there ar any more members in the gang.
They have been charged under Sections 399 and Section 402 of the Indian Penal Code, besides Section 4 as well as Section 25 of the Arms Act, the police officials said.
