In a significant breakthrough, the police apprehended five members of a gang, which included a minor, near Katraj ghat on Monday. The gang is accused of targeting and robbing three daily wage workers from Warje. The victims were allegedly robbed at knifepoint, with cash and ornaments valued at Rs34,000 being stolen.
The incident unfolded when the women raised an alarm, attracting the attention of local residents who promptly alerted the Rajgad police. Responding swiftly, a police team arrived at the scene and apprehended the suspects after a brief chase. The individuals involved have been identified as Nitin Chavan (30), Santosh Kanode (20), Suklal Giri (20), Sunil Giri (19), and a 17-year-old minor, all hailing from Nanded district.
According to the police, this was the gang’s second attempt at such a crime. They had previously targeted construction workers in the Katraj ghat area using a similar modus operandi. A case has been registered with the Pune city police in connection with the incidents.
Narrating her ordeal, one of the victims, who sustained injuries to her throat, revealed that a man posing as a contractor approached her and her neighbor near the Warje flyover on Monday. The imposter claimed he needed three women to carry out cement work at a bungalow in Khed-Shivapur and offered them Rs500 each. Trusting his words, the victims agreed to accompany him.
Subsequently, the accused arranged for an autorickshaw, already occupied by a driver and a mason. Upon crossing the Katraj tunnel, the imposter instructed the driver to head towards the old tunnel. After a short distance, he asked the driver to stop and led the victims to a bungalow located on a hillock. It was at this point that he called two additional men, who threatened the victims while brandishing a knife.
The woman recounted that one of the perpetrators snatched her chain and Rs4,000 in cash. When she attempted to resist, she was subjected to an attack that resulted in injuries to her throat.
