The Thane police arrested a 40-year-old thief involved in a string of chain-snatching cases. The suspect identified as GulamAli alias Nadar Sartaj Jaffari, 40, is suspected to be involved in 10 recent cases, including the one in which he was arrested, of chain snatching in Thane and police recovered gold ornaments worth R3.13 lakh from his possession. According to the police, Jaffari is a resident of Ambivli near Kalyan and is a habitual criminal. The police said Jaffari has been booked in 45 cases. As a result of Jaffari’s continued engagement in chain-snatching activities, he has been arrested on several occasions.

Following a chain snatching incident in March 2024, a case was lodged under sections 392 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code at the Kapurbawadi police station. "After the case was registered the Thane crime branch Unit 5 started investigation and gathered technical details and CCTV footage. The footage revealed Jaffari as the suspect. Accordingly, a team led by Vikas Ghodke, senior police inspector, crime branch unit 5, started gathering information to trace the suspect. Based on information from sources Jaffari was detained," said a police officer.