MIDC Police Bust Mobile Theft Gang Targeting BEST Bus Passengers; 135 Phones Worth ₹12.67 Lakh Recovered
MUMBAI — In a major breakthrough against public transit crimes, the MIDC Police has busted an organized gang involved in stealing mobile phones from commuters traveling aboard Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses. In this Connection Police have arrested seven accused individuals and recovered 135 stolen smartphones valued at ₹12,67,500.
On the basis of complaint filed by 59-year-old Jagat Jyoti Mohanty, a resident of ONGC Colony, Poonam Nagar, Andheri East. According to the complaint, Mohanty’s Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra—valued at approximately ₹90,000—was stolen from his left pocket on June 6, 2026, while he was boarding a BEST bus (Route No. 415) at the Seepz Bus Stop on MIDC Central Road. Following his report, MIDC Police registered a case under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
A detection squad led by Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Navale initiated a comprehensive investigation. The team analyzed footage from 40 to 45 CCTV cameras along the bus routes, combined with technical intelligence and confidential informant tips. This coordinated effort led to the identification and arrest of seven suspects operating out of Mumbra and Shivaji Nagar who had prior criminal records for targeting BEST bus passengers.
With these arrests, police successfully solved three registered cases of mobile theft aboard BEST buses and seized 135 mobile phones of various brands from the suspects’ possession.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of senior Mumbai Police officials, including Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Police Commissioner (Law & Order) Manoj Kumar Sharma, Additional Police Commissioner (Western Region) Dr. Abhinav Deshmukh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 10) Datta Nalawade, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Andheri Division) Yogesh Shinde.
The field execution was led by Senior Police Inspector Ghanshyam Nair, Crime Inspector Sunil Karande, PSI Kiran Navale, along with police personnel Nitin Nalawade, Pravin Jadhav, Swapnil Teli, Shital Mali, and Suraj Jagtap.
” We have produced all accused before the Metropolitan court and we got police Custody of the accused our further investigation is Underway”, Said Police Official from MIDC Police Station.
