THANE: The Naupada police on Tuesday nabbed an imposter who claimed to be a police inspector and robbed a second hand car dealer of Rs five lakh and also fled with his car.Gajanan Palve, who claimed to be assistant police inspector from the Anti-Terrorist Squad in Vikroli was arrested on a complaint by one Sanjay Mhase who trusted him as he had come to his office wearing a police uniform. Sporting a police uniform Palve approached Mhase in March last year requesting him to buy a car. “Mhase was hesitant to go-ahead with the deal as Palve did not have the car documents. However, Palve assured to get the papers soon and on his insistence Mhase paid the imposter Rs 2.64 lakhs,” said C Jadhav, senior inspector from Naupada police station. Months later Palve walked into Mhase’s office with a similar offer to buy a car and promised to get the papers later. Mhase paid Rs three lakh for the second car.“Mhase would regularly call demanding the car’s transfer papers. However, he continue to be evasive. In August last year, Palve asked Mhase to handover the two cars and take back his money. However, all his hopes dashed as Palve did not return the cash nor cars,’’ the police officer said. Realising that he has been cheated, Mhase registered a complaint following which Palve was arrested. — Shrutika Sukhi

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