TNN

Mumbai, Aug 12:  A 21-year-old employed at a shop in Ghatkopar has been arrested on charges of stealing 309 high-end pens valued at Rs 15 lakh.

Narayanlal Premrao Sargara, employed with Niranjan General Store near SNDT College, had been stealing pens for a year but his crime went unnoticed till recently. The thefts came to light last month when his employer realised that the numbers did not tally during stock-taking. The pens included those of premier brands.

Narsi Gadda (42), owner of the shop, lodged a complaint with the Ghatkopar police in July. Gadda kept tabs on the six employees working in his store. He then caught Sargara in the act.

The accused used to check the new consignments when the stocks arrived. Gadda told TOI, "The thefts were executed by Sargara along with two aides, who were outsiders."

According to Gadda, Sargara stole the pens and gave them to two of his associates, who sold them. "The police told me that with the arrest of his associates, the modus operandi would become clear."

"The employer kept a watch on the six people employed with him and found that he used to steal one or two pens daily from the stock, which were later handed over to his associates," said senior inspector G T Padwal of the Ghatkopar police station.

Sargara was arrested from a flat occupied by the staff. "During interrogation, Sargara confessed to his crime. He knew these were expensive pens so he stole one or two daily from the stock and believed this would never be noticed by the employer," said sub-inspector Irfan Shaikh of Ghatkopar police station.

Sargara has been booked under Sections 34 (common intention) and 381 (theft by clerk or servant of property in possession of master) of the IPC. He has been remanded in police custody till August 16.

On Monday evening, based on Sargara's information, a police team from the Ghatkopar police station left for Rajasthan to nab his associates.