38yrold arrested for the 23rd time; steals footballer’s bike in Dahisar

MUMBAI: The Dahisar police on Saturday traced and arrested a 38-year-old history-sheeter for allegedly stealing a motorbike belonging to a national-level football player from outside his residence in Dahisar (East).

According to the police, the arrested accused Mahesh Yerapalle, 38, alias Sakpal, a resident of Sathewadi chawl in Kopri, Thane, stole the two-wheeler belonging to 21-year-old complainant, Umesh Perambra. On Saturday morning when Perambra came out of his housing society, he could not find his bike which he had parked outside the gate.

He inquired with people in the area and also crosschecked with traffic police to find out if his bike was seized.

Perambra then filed a complaint with Dahisar police station and a case was registered under section 379 of the Indian Penal Code IPC for theft.

The detection team led by sub-inspector Jitendra Kadam received information that Yerapalle, who is an on-record thief at their police station, was involved in the crime.

Acting on a tip, police were able to nab him the same day near the Dahisar check naka and he confessed to the crime.

Yerapalle has earned a reputation as a thief, and since 2006 he has been arrested 22 times by police, most often for stealing bikes.

Each time he was released on bail and returns to theft.