A 32-year-old repeat offender was caught red-handed by the public while attempting to snatch a woman’s handbag in a market. He was handed over to the Borivali police, produced in court, and later remanded to police custody. Police sources said he has several cases of bag snatching registered against him in Charkop, Kandivali and Borivali, and officials are checking if there are any more such cases against him. The arrested accused has been identified as one Siraz Sheikh, 32, a resident of Hindustan Naka in Kandivali (west).

The latest incident which led to his arrest occurred on Sunday afternoon in Borivali (west). A woman was travelling along the road in an auto when Mr Sheikh rode alongside on his bike, snatched her handbag, and fled the scene. Even as the first victim started screaming for help, Sheikh tried to snatch another woman’s handbag when she started shouting for help and several people gathered on the spot, some of whom chased Sheikh and caught him, handing him over to the police.

An iPhone and few currencies were recovered from the handbag of Sheikh’s first victim. The motorcycle has been seized and the police are verifying its number and permit.