Mumbai News: Azad Maidan Police Arrest 25-Year-Old Habitual Offender For Theft Of iPhone From Churchgate-Bound AC Bus Commuter

Mumbai: The Azad Maidan Police have arrested a habitual offender in connection with the theft of an iPhone 15 Plus from a commuter aboard a Churchgate-bound AC bus on January 4, 2025. The stolen phone, valued at approximately ₹30,000, was reportedly taken from complainant Sanjay Kumar (39), a resident of Andheri West.

According to Azad Maidan police, Sanjay Kumar boarded bus no. 6362 from Bhuleshwar Stand with his family and was en route to Churchgate when the theft occurred between 6:50 and 7:10 PM. Sanjay Kumar had been speaking on his phone and then placed it in his right pocket. Upon alighting at Metro bus stop, he discovered the phone missing. CCTV footage from the bus revealed an unidentified individual stealing the phone.

The complaint was registered at Azad Maidan Police Station under FIR under Section 302(2) of BNS, on January 6. The crime branch launched an investigation immediately, analyzing CCTV footage, call detail records (CDRs), and habitual offender records.

As no immediate leads emerged, police relied on informants and eventually apprehended Hasmat Jakhuva Shaikh (25), a resident of Maharajpur, Jharkhand, near Metro on April 19, 2025. During interrogation, the accused confessed to the crime.

Shaikh has a prior criminal record, with theft cases registered against him at LT Marg Police Station, Bhoiwada Police Station, Pune Rural Police Station. Shaikh was produced before the Esplande Court on April 19. The investigation team recovered the stolen iPhone from the accused.