The Dahisar Police have arrested three habitual burglars who allegedly conducted reconnaissance of locked houses while posing as auto-rickshaw passengers before breaking in and committing thefts across the area.
According to police, the accused, Mauinuddin Nizamuddin Sheikh (47), Mohammad Gulabnabi Sheikh (52), and Akbar Ali Fattemohammad Rahin (31), targeted multiple homes in Dahisar East on the night of 26–27 November 2025. They allegedly broke locks of several houses and, when unable to find valuables, stole clothes and sarees to avoid leaving empty-handed.
One complainant, B. Ramchandra Maroti, reported that unknown persons broke into his home at Rawalpada, Dahisar East, and stole Rs. 10,000. On the same night, the house of his neighbour Ranjudevi Devendra Singh was also broken into, and three sarees worth Rs. 3,000 were stolen. A case was registered at Dahisar Police Station under the relevant IPC Sections.
During the investigation, police examined 25–30 CCTV cameras in the vicinity and identified the trio. Their residences in Saki Naka, Andheri East, were kept under surveillance for two days before they were taken into custody.
Police revealed that the accused, Sheikh, has more than 40 prior cases of housebreaking and theft registered across Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar districts.
“We have solved seven cases, which include three at Dahisar Police Station, one at MHB, one at Malad, and two at Mulund Police Station. During the interrogation, it was revealed that Sheikh has over 40 housebreaking cases across the city and nearby police stations. Stolen items recovered from the accused have also been seized,” the police said.
Police added that due to Sheikh’s repeated offences, Mumbai police and nearby police stations frequently visited his house, causing constant trouble for his family. As a result, the family expelled him from the household and informed the local police that they no longer had any connection with him.
The other individual, Mohammad Gulabnabi Sheikh, also has theft cases registered against him. Police are now trying to determine the number of cases registered against auto driver Rahin.
Under the guidance of DCP Mahesh Chimate, Zone 12 Senior Inspector Sarjerao Patil, along with the Dahisar Police Crime Detection Team, including API Prakash Lahane, Head Constable S. Sayyed, and other detection staff, dozens of CCTV footage and confidential inputs were scanned to crack the case and arrest the accused, an officer added.
