Nagpur: In a major breakthrough, the Nagpur Rural Local Crime Branch (LCB) has busted an alleged goat theft racket, solving 12 cases of livestock theft and arresting three accused persons. Police recovered stolen assets worth ₹4.51 lakh, including a vehicle, mobile phones, and cash.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Superintendent of Police Harsh Poddar and Additional Superintendent of Police Anil Mhaske.
According to police officials, the Local Crime Branch team, with support from the Cyber Police Station, Nagpur Rural, was investigating a series of goat theft incidents using technical analysis and confidential intelligence inputs.
During the investigation, police received information that the suspects involved in the thefts were moving in the Gumthala area. Acting on the input, the team detained three men along with a car bearing registration number MH-01/AR-4012.
The arrested accused have been identified as:
- Javed alias Sonu Zulfikar Ansari (37), resident of New Basti, Teka Naka, Gosamandi, Nagpur
- Rohit Ashok Khobragade (37), resident of Vinoba Bhave Nagar, Yashodhara Nagar, Nagpur
- Sameer Sharif Sheikh (30), resident of New Basti, Teka Naka, Nagpur
During questioning, the accused allegedly admitted to carrying out 12 goat theft cases together.
Police seized:
- One car used in the crimes worth ₹2 lakh
- Three mobile phones worth ₹22,000
- Cash of ₹2,29,050, allegedly earned from selling the stolen goats
The total value of recovered property stands at ₹4,51,050.
All three accused have been arrested and further investigation is underway to determine whether the group was linked to additional livestock theft cases.
