Special Correspondent
Pune: City Police have apprehended a gang of armed robbers responsible for snatching a gold chain from a pedestrian during his morning walk. The incident occurred on December 24, 2024, in the Alankar Police Station area.
The victim was near Ayodhya Hotel when two unidentified men forcefully grabbed his gold chain and fled on a motorcycle driven by a third accomplice. Following the robbery, a case was registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
News of the crime spread rapidly through local WhatsApp groups, sparking fear among morning walkers. In response, Deputy Commissioner of Police Sambhaji Kadam and Senior Police Commissioner Ajay Parmar initiated immediate action.
Through an extensive investigation that involved reviewing over 200 CCTV recordings, authorities managed to track down the suspects. A key lead emerged when an informant tipped off the police about the gang’s location near Kishkinda Nagar, Kothrud. Acting on this intelligence, the police arrested the suspects, identified as Abhishek and Bharat Khandare (both aged 22).
During interrogation, the duo admitted to their involvement in similar chain-snatching cases in the Alankar and Chatushrungi Police Station jurisdictions. Police recovered stolen items worth ₹2,86,250, including two gold chains, a gold pendant, the motorcycle used in the crime, and a sword.
Further investigations revealed that the accused had committed multiple thefts using weapons to intimidate victims. Authorities from Alankar and Chatushrungi Police Stations are continuing their probe to uncover more details.
This successful operation was conducted under the leadership of Additional Commissioner of Police (Western Regional Division) Pravin Kumar Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2) Sambhaji Kadam, Senior Police Commissioner (Sinhagad Road Division) Ajay Parmar, and Senior Police Inspector Sunita Rokade. The investigative team, led by Inspector (Crime) Anil Mane, included Police Sub-Inspector Ganesh Dixit and other officers.