Former gram pradhan from Uttar Pradesh held for breaking into houses, stealing valuables in Vasai, Navi Mumbai and Thane; accused used booty to fund his election campaign and buy real estate

A former gram pradhan in Rampur Rajwadi village of Pratapgarh district in Uttar Pradesh was arrested on Wednesday night in Allahabad and brought to Mumbai on Friday on charges of breaking in houses and stealing valuables in Vasai, Navi Mumbai and Thane. But the quirky bit about his modus operandi is he used to book air tickets in advance to conduct robberies in the city.



The accused Aslam Israel Shaikh was brought to Mumbai yesterday. Pic/Hanif Patel

Investor

The accused identified as Aslam Israel Shaikh used up the booty in election campaigning, property investments and buying small restaurants.

He was caught on CCTV while robbing a residential society in Vasai in January this year and was identified by one of the police informers, who directed the cops to Uttar Pradesh. Shaikh was nabbed with the help of Uttar Pradesh STF.

Later, police also found that Shaikh was once arrested in a similar case in Vashi but was out on bail.

Police says

PSI Ganesh Shinde from Manikpur police station said Shaikh is a professional thief, who used to enter residential complexes and ring the bell of each flat to check which one was vacant. He then used to break in, rob the booty and before the day could end he used to catch a flight back.

Shaikh has been remanded to police custody till March 7. The police are also trying to find out if Aslam had any accomplice.