Mumbai: Cops recover 246 stolen cars with a single arrest

The Kashimira police arrested a man and detained seven others who cheated several people by falsely promising to rent out their cars to generate income and then absconded with the vehicles. The police have recovered 246 stolen vehicles worth approximately Rs 20.60 crore from the accused. All the vehicles were seized from the Ratnagiri district.

The accused—Ratnagiri resident Sandeep Kandalkar alias Raju Joshi—has allegedly cheated around 1375 people. The police said Kandalkar launched the fake scheme offering to rent out private cars at the airport and Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT).

Sandeep Kandalkar being escorted by cops after his arrest. Pics/Hanif Patel 

According to police officers, the complainant, Bhavesh Ambavane, is a resident of Mira Road who registered an FIR against Kandalkar on April 20.

A police officer said, “Kandalkar told Ambavane that he would receive Rs 55,000 to Rs 75,000 per month as rent for his newly purchased car.Looking to make some fast money, Ambavane booked a new car on loan and handed it over to Kandalkar, who, in turn, gave him an agreement prepared on a R100 stamp paper.”

According to the officer, Kandalkar stopped responding to Ambavane’s calls and messages after collecting the car. Subsequently, the latter approached the police. The Kashimira police registered a first information report (FIR) and began an investigation, which revealed that Kandalkar was running a bogus scheme and duping people. 

“We traced Kandalkar to Ratnagiri, where he was found to be in possession of 246 stolen vehicles, including pickup trucks, tempos, and cars,” the officer added.

During the investigation, it was also revealed that Kandalkar is wanted in cases registered at Kurar, Nashik Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Ankleshwar, Bandra, Bandra Kurla Complex, N M Joshi, Mumbai EOW, Bhosari, Nerul, and Bharuch (Gujarat) police stations. 

Rs 20cr
Total value of stolen vehicles recovered by the cops

This article first appeared on Mid Day