Kingpin of antique racket held

In a major breakthrough, the Mumbai Police arrested a kingpin of a racket, who use to steal and sell antiques, from Itahar in North Dinajpur on Tuesday night.

Acting on a tip off, a team comprising officers from the Mumbai Police conducted a raid at Gorahar village in Itahar and arrested Mirazul Islam with the help of the local police.

Police said the accused, identified as Mirazul, used to work as a driver of private cars in Mumbai. He went there a few years ago and this is the first time when he returned to Itahar. Investigation had revealed that during his stay in Mumbai he used to steal valuables from various shops that include showrooms of antique items with two other youth.

Interestingly he never used to steal items of big size. His targets were mainly coins and smaller items that can be easily kept inside his pocket.  A month ago, owner of a shop in Mumbai, lodged a complaint with the police and also handed over video clippings captured in a surveillance camera installed in the shop.

Police identified the person in the clippings and investigations revealed that he returned to Itahar a day after the theft. His two associates are yet to get arrested. But police claimed that he used to run a racket and his arrest was essential to get details about the other members of the racket. Police came to know that he was well aware about the value of the coins and the antique. He use to sell them at a high price. He had committed the crime to make fast and easy money, said a police officer.

The police have recovered Rs 50,000 cash and valuables including several coins, jewellery and expensive wrist watches from his house. It seems that besides stealing valuables from shops he had also snatched gold chains and wrist watches, said a police officer adding that he has been taken to Mumbai in transit remand.