The Pimpri Chinchwad Crime Branch, Unit 5, has achieved a significant breakthrough by apprehending three individuals involved in a series of daring jewelry snatchings from women pedestrians. The successful operation led to the recovery of stolen jewelry with an estimated worth of Rs 2.97 lakhs.
The arrested individuals, identified as Akash Wazir Rathod, Visam Rakesh Nanawat (20 years old), and Vishrant Rakesh Nanawat (22 years old), were captured near the Shelarwadi bus stop on the Old Pune Mumbai highway.
The arrests follow a string of thefts in which the snatchers targeted women on foot, executing swift getaways on a two-wheeler.
These significant arrests were made possible through meticulous investigative work, under the guidance of DCP (Crime Branch) Swapna Gore. The modus operandi of the criminals involved snatching gold ornaments from the necks of women and making a dramatic escape, reminiscent of scenes from the movie ‘Dhoom.’ The stolen items, amounting to an estimated Rs 2.97 lakhs, have been successfully recovered by the police.
The criminal activities came to light on October 11 when an incident occurred in Indori, falling under the jurisdiction of the Talegaon MIDC Police Station. A case was registered against the unidentified thieves, prompting parallel investigations by Crime Branch Unit 5. The police’s efforts were significantly aided by the analysis of approximately 75 CCTV footages from various locations, including Indori, Dehugaon, Talwade, Chikhali, Moshi, and Alandi.
After successfully tracing the accused through the CCTV footage, police officers Thackeray and Malusare received information that the suspects were residing near Shelarwadi bus stop. Acting swiftly, the police set up a trap in the area, leading to the detention of the three individuals.
Further investigations revealed that the stolen jewelry had been taken to Alandi for sale. The accused are also linked to multiple cases in Talegaon MIDC, Dehurod, and Dighi areas. The police seized 66.56 grams of gold jewelry, a two-wheeler, and a mobile phone, collectively valued at Rs 2,97,020.
The arrested individuals have been handed over to the Talegaon MIDC police for further legal proceedings. This successful operation was conducted by Senior Police Inspector Ajit Lakde, Police Sub-Inspector Rahul Koli, and a team comprising Constables Bansode, Thackeray, Rathod, Malusare, Sheikh, Khedkar, Eghare, Gadekar, Bhosale, and Bramhande.
