Special Correspondent
Pune: A 17-year-old college student from Pune, who had a penchant for branded clothes and joyrides, was detained by the Pune City Police for allegedly stealing two bikes. The minor, a Class 12 student, was caught after the police received a tip-off about him trying to sell a stolen bike.
On Friday, while checking traffic violators, the Bharati Vidyapeeth Police team acted on the information and set up a trap. Senior Police Inspector Savalaram Salgaonkar confirmed that the suspect, who had stolen the bikes around a month and a half ago, was apprehended. Two stolen bikes were recovered from the student. The police have informed his parents, and the investigation is ongoing as the student’s exams are fast approaching.
Police Sub-Inspector Nilesh Mokashi, who is leading the investigation, explained that the suspect was caught while checking moving vehicles. Upon questioning, the minor confessed to stealing the bikes, revealing that his motive was to sell them and earn money to buy branded clothes, as he felt his pocket money was insufficient. One of the stolen bikes had the original keys, while the other was taken with duplicate keys. The suspect had parked the bikes in an abandoned area, intending to sell them but was detained before he could complete the transaction.
In a separate case, the police also caught two thieves in the Sinhagad Road area on the same day. Sopan Ramesh Tonde (27) and Akash Sunil Nakade (29) were arrested, and five two-wheelers and a rickshaw were recovered from them. The two men were heading towards Vadgaon when patrolling constables, Deva Chavan and Sagar Shendge, received a tip-off and nabbed them. The suspects admitted to stealing five two-wheelers, a laptop, and a camera.
