Mumbai: Man Held for Duping Senior Citizen on Street, Confesses to Committing 28 Similar Crimes

An official said on Tuesday that a 50-year-old man was arrested for stealing jewelry from elderly people on the street by tricking them into handing over jewelry and money to him after they pretended to be a well-meaning person.

The official said the accused, Sanjay Mangadi, was arrested on July 9 on the basis of a complaint from a 62-year-old man in the western suburb of Borivali. His interrogation revealed that he had targeted 28 elderly people in Mumbai and its adjoining areas.

The official from Kasturba Marg Police Station in Borivali said that the cops are now looking for Mangadi’s accomplice Vijay Tambi, who is on the run.

In his complaint, the senior citizen said the accused approached him on June 23, saying, “Do you know me?” The official said Mangadi showed great concern and told him that there was a police check ahead and that he should not be wearing any gold jewelry.

Mangadi persuaded the complainant to hand over his gold chain, ring and money, collectively worth nearly 75,000 rupees. As he wrapped the valuables and money in paper and returned the box, the complainant found it missing when he opened it at home later.

During the investigation, the police found that the defendants only targeted the elderly. The official said they went through images from several surveillance cameras and worked on technical inputs for the arrest of Mangadi of Mahim on 9 July.

The police also urged citizens not to trust unknown people on the street. Instead, the official added, they should approach the nearest police station.

(This story was not edited by the News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)