A 53-year-old man was arrested from Dindoshi for allegedly dressing up as a Jain priest and stealing gold and silver plates from temples. According to the police, the suspect was inspired by TV serial Crime Patrol and it was difficult to track him due to his disguise.
But the police scanned over 100 CCTVs and succeeded in pinning the suspect.
On Jan 23, a real Jain priest lodged a police complaint stating that 160 gm gold articles, which he had taken to the temple for worship, had gone missing. Swinging into action, the cops started the probe by scanning the CCTV footage of the temple and nearby areas but they were finding it difficult to track any suspicious person.
After going through footage of more than 100 CCTVs, the police finally spotted their suspect, Bharat Sukhraj Doshi, who was seen visiting several temples, while impersonating as a Jain priest.
Gold worth 160 grams, scooter seized from accused
The Malad resident would ride to temples on a scooter and tried his best to dodge CCTV cameras so as to reduce his chances of getting caught, said the police, adding that a gold plate and rod has been recovered from him. The total value of the stolen booty is approx â‚ą5.30 lakh.
“Doshi has confessed to taking inspiration from a Crime Patrol episode. He would sell the stolen items and use the money for gambling. The suspect would disguise himself as a member of the Jain community, wear a mask, do recce of the temple on the pretext of worship and then steal precious articles (at the opportune moment),” said the police official.
A case has been filed against him under the Indian Penal Code section 378 (theft).
