The Pune Rural Police have made significant strides in curbing a wave of thefts plaguing tourists staying in rented properties in the picturesque town of Lonavala. The thieves, who had been targeting unsuspecting tourists to steal cash and valuables during their vacations, have been apprehended, with the police solving ten cases linked to these crimes. The concerted efforts of the Local Crime Branch (LCB) unit of Pune Rural Police have brought three suspects into custody.
The need for action arose as a slew of complaints from both tourists and local residents flooded the rural police department, highlighting the alarming rise in theft incidents in the area. In response to this alarming trend, a meeting was convened to analyze the theft cases reported in Lonavala. Subsequently, a specialized team from Pune Rural Police’s Local Crime Branch was assembled to delve into the recurring pattern of criminal activities.
During the course of their investigation, the police team uncovered the involvement of a local history-sheeter in the series of theft cases. The key suspect, identified as 27-year-old Wasim Salauddin Chaudhary, and a resident of Lonavala, was promptly taken into custody.
As the investigation progressed, the primary suspect, Wasim Salauddin Chaudhary, admitted to the complicity of two more individuals in these criminal activities. The crime branch officials swiftly apprehended these additional suspects, identifying them as 21-year-old Salim Salauddin Chaudhary and 21-year-old Shahrukh Babu Shaikh, both residents of Lonavala. It was revealed that the trio had been systematically monitoring private properties rented out to tourists, pilfering cash and valuable items from the unsuspecting visitors during their stay in Lonavala.
The police conducted searches and successfully recovered a significant cache of stolen items, including a gold chain, a diamond ring, a gold ring, and two motorcycles valued at Rs 2,26,700, from the possession of the accused. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the three arrested individuals were implicated in no less than ten cases of theft that had been registered in both Lonavala city and the Lonavala rural police station.
In response to these developments, the rural police have issued a plea to tourists visiting Lonavala, urging them to exercise caution during their stays in rented properties. They recommend keeping doors locked and taking diligent care of their valuables to mitigate the risk of theft. Additionally, the police have extended their appeal to local citizens who rent out properties, encouraging them to install CCTV cameras to enhance security measures and deter criminal activities.
