Pune: In a concerning trend that has alarmed residents, three separate gold chain snatching incidents occurred within an hour on Sunday morning in different parts of Pune, specifically in the jurisdictions of Chatushrungi, Kothrud, and Alankar police stations. All the victims were senior citizens out for their regular morning walks.
In the first case, reported in Pashan, Ashok Dwarakanath Vatal (70) was approached by two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle. The duo pretended to ask for directions, and while Vatal was assisting them, one of the men quickly snatched his gold chain and fled. A complaint has been registered at the Chatushrungi Police Station, and an investigation is underway.
Shortly after, in Kothrud, Rekha Vishnu Shastri (69) became the second victim while walking near the Lohia IT Park. Around 6:30 a.m., two men on a bike stopped near her, and one disembarked to snatch her mangalsutra valued at ₹25,000. The accused fled the scene, and Kothrud Police have registered a case against two unidentified persons.
The third incident took place near Dashabhuja Ganpati Temple, close to Paud Phata, also in Kothrud. Lakshmi Tukaram Samdadde (43) was with her son when a man approached her from behind and grabbed her mangalsutra worth ₹24,000. He then fled on a motorcycle with an accomplice. Alankar Police have launched an investigation.
All three crimes were reported between 6:15 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., suggesting a coordinated effort or a common modus operandi. Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the affected areas to determine whether the same individuals are behind all three incidents.
The spike in early morning chain snatching cases has raised alarm among local residents and morning walkers. Authorities have assured that patrolling will be intensified during early hours in residential and sensitive areas to deter such crimes.
