Copyright newskarnataka
A late-night mobile alert from CCTV cameras installed at his second home helped a 72-year-old man thwart a robbery attempt in Chembur on Saturday. The quick response led to the arrest of the suspect by the Chembur police. CCTV alert in the middle of the night According to police officials, the complainant, a senior citizen residing in Chembur, received a mobile alert from the CCTV cameras installed at his second residence at Sarvodaya Estate late Saturday night. On checking the live feed, he noticed suspicious activity inside the locked house. He immediately alerted his son, who monitors the CCTV footage remotely, and contacted the Chembur police. Acting swiftly, a police team reached the spot and caught the suspect red-handed while he was attempting to break into the house. Senior citizen’s quick thinking The 72-year-old man, who divides his time between two residences in Chembur, told police that he locks his Sarvodaya Estate home every evening before going to his other residence in the postal colony nearby. “I locked the house around 6 pm on Saturday before leaving. Later that night, the CCTV system sent me an alert, which helped prevent a major theft,” the complainant said in his statement. His prompt reaction and the efficient coordination between him, his son, and the police ensured that the burglar could not escape. Police action and investigation The Chembur police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the accused under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to housebreaking and theft. The suspect is currently in custody, and officials are investigating whether he was involved in other similar incidents in the area. A police officer from the Chembur station said, “The alert system worked perfectly. The complainant’s vigilance and immediate communication with us were crucial. CCTV technology once again proved how effective it can be in crime prevention.” Rise in residential thefts Police sources noted that there has been a recent spike in attempted burglaries across Mumbai’s eastern suburbs, particularly in areas like Chembur, Ghatkopar, and Tilak Nagar. Officers have urged residents to ensure that their CCTV systems are functional and to report any suspicious movements immediately. The swift action by the senior citizen and the Chembur police prevented what could have been a major theft. Authorities emphasised the importance of security cameras and community vigilance in deterring crime, especially during the festive season when houses are often left unattended
