Conman held for thefts

A 41-year-old man was arrested today from Ghansoli in Navi Mumbai for his alleged involvement in a string of theft cases, police said.

Police recovered gold ornaments worth over Rs 47 lakh from the possession of the accused, identified as Tukaram Adsul, said Thane Joint Commissioner of Police Madhukar Pandey.

Adsul has 37 theft cases pending against him in 19 police stations.

Police also arrested three jewellers for buying the stolen jewellery from Adsul, he said.

Explaining the modus operandi of the accused, the officer said he used to promise his targets tenements under the Prime Minister/Chief Minister Awas Yojana.

Adsul would ask his potential target to meet him at a particular spot with various documents, he said.

"During conversation, he would seek more documents and used to accompany the victims to their houses. He would then send his targets away by asking them to bring photocopies of certain documents. Once they leave the house, Adsul would steal gold ornaments and flee," the officer said.

Adsul has committed the crime in various areas in Thane and neighbouring Navi Mumbai.