A man hired to paint Bollywood actor Poonam Dhillon’s flat in Khar has been arrested for allegedly stealing valuables worth over Rs 1 lakh. The accused, identified as 37-year-old Sameer Ansari, was taken into custody on Monday.
Police revealed that Ansari took advantage of an unlocked cupboard during his work stint from December 28 to January 5. He allegedly stole a diamond earring valued at Rs 1 lakh, Rs 35,000 in cash, and USD 500 from the flat.
The theft was discovered after Dhillon’s son, Anmol, returned from Dubai on January 5. Dhillon’s manager, Sandesh Chaudhary, immediately filed a police complaint, leading to an investigation and Ansari’s arrest.
Interestingly, Ansari reportedly spent Rs 9,000 of the stolen money to throw a party for his painting team. However, the police managed to recover Rs 25,000 in cash, the stolen USD 500, and the diamond earring.
Dhillon primarily resides in her house in Juhu, while her son occasionally stays at the Khar flat. The accused has been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, with further investigation underway.
This incident serves as a stark reminder to secure homes, even during maintenance work.