Four women arrested for theft

Thane, Jun 7 (PTI) Four women who robbed citizens in crowded localities were arrested and valuables worth Rs 5 lakh were recovered from them, police said today. The accused---Rajni Ramchandra (54), Sangeeta Kate (36) Swata Pramod (23) and Deepali (32)---were held by Thane Nagar police, which also recovered Rs 20,500 cash from them. About 11 tolas of gold ornaments, silver goods weighing around 450 gms, 38 mobiles, 6 ladies wrist watches, and a record 115 laides purses and handbags were seized from the women, police said. Their modus operandi was to mingle with the crowd at places like railway stations and shopping centres and flee with valuables after diverting their attention, police said. The women stole valuables from shops too with the help of four others, they said. The accused, who have been operating in Thane for a year now are residents of Bhandup, Diva and Kisan Nagar localities.