Chain-snatcher fires at cops, flees on foot

  • | Monday | 15th October, 2018

"At Khanivade toll naka in Virar, around 11.30pm, the cops who were following him in a private car intercepted his vehicle," he added. A crime branch officer said Shaikh has sent cops on a wild goose chase four times in two years. On July 16 too, Shaikh fired at some Kharghar cops who had gone to nab him in Vapi. Last year, a Nerul police team managed to trap Shaikh, but he slashed a cop with a blade and escaped. In retaliation, the cops too fired at his car tyres, puncturing them.

MUMBAI: A trigger-happy history-sheeter who has been giving cops the slip for a long time left the Navi Mumbai police flummoxed on Sunday as he abandoned his family in a car he was driving on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad national highway and fled the spot on foot. This was also the second time in three months that Fayyaz Shaikh (38) opened fire at police. Two cops were injured in the incident that took place on Sunday night in Virar when Shaikh was travelling with his wife, six-year-old son and grandmother from Navi Mumbai to Vapi, where he lives.As Shaikh escaped, the Navi Mumbai police's anti-extortion unit took his family in custody. On July 16 too, Shaikh fired at some Kharghar cops who had gone to nab him in Vapi. A crime branch officer said Shaikh has sent cops on a wild goose chase four times in two years. "He fled twice last year as the operation was not well-planned," said an officer, adding that Shaikh was externed from Navi Mumbai till May, after which he returned and got into chain snatching.Acting on a tip-off, a police team on Sunday was following Shaikh, who has over 50 cases of firing, extortion, assault on cops in Navi Mumbai, Thane and Mumbai. Shaikh was driving with his wife Yasmin (26) sitting besides him and his grandmother, Fatima (69), and son on the rear seat, said an officer."At Khanivade toll naka in Virar, around 11.30pm, the cops who were following him in a private car intercepted his vehicle," he added. In their statement to the Virar police, the Navi Mumbai cops said that on seeing them, Shaikh drove over the divider and made a U-turn to get on to the Mumbai-bound lane, dashing into a few cars at the nearby toll plaza. "The cops too turned around and chased Shaikh, who opened fire at them. In retaliation, the cops too fired at his car tyres, puncturing them. Despite the flat tyres, Shaikh continued to drive for about 4-5km and at Belwadi, off the highway, he abandoned the car and escaped into the nearby jungle in the darkness while his family remained seated in the vehicle. Shaikh's family, API Anil Survase and constable Tayde sustained minor injuries in the chase.A case under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 427 (mischief), 34 (common intention) of IPC and sections 3, 25 of the Arms Act has been registered against Shaikh. The police said they searched the jungles but couldn't find Shaikh, who they said may have been injured.Last year, a sub-inspector had got a tip-off about Shaikh's hideout in Khed but when the cop accosted the criminal, the latter brandished a revolver and fled. Last year, a Nerul police team managed to trap Shaikh, but he slashed a cop with a blade and escaped. (Inputs by George Mendonca)

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