Pune: In a swift operation, Bharti Vidyapeeth Police have arrested an 18-year-old youth involved in a series of mobile phone snatching incidents in Pune’s Katraj area. The accused, who used the ruse of seeking directions to target unsuspecting pedestrians, was found in possession of six stolen mobile phones and a two-wheeler collectively valued at ₹1.9 lakh.
The arrested individual has been identified as Rohit Suresh Kamble, a resident of Jadhav Nagar, Gujarwadi Phata, Katraj. His arrest came after a local youth filed a complaint at Bharti Vidyapeeth Police Station, reporting that his phone had been snatched while he was walking near Gujarwadi Phata around 10 p.m. on May 1. The complainant stated that two men on a bike approached him asking for directions, then suddenly grabbed his phone and fled.
Under the direction of Senior Police Inspector Sawalaram Salgaonkar, a team was deployed to track down the suspects. Acting on a confidential tip-off, investigators traced the suspects to Gujarwadi. A trap was laid, and Kamble was apprehended in Bharat Nagar.
Police seized a two-wheeler worth ₹1 lakh and six mobile phones valued at ₹90,000 from Kamble’s possession. His accomplice, identified as Salman Shaikh, is currently absconding, and efforts to locate him are ongoing.
The investigation and arrest were executed under the supervision of Additional Commissioner of Police Praveenkumar Patil, Deputy Commissioner Smarta Patil, and Assistant Commissioner Rahul Aware. The police team included Senior PI Salgaonkar, PI Rahulkumar Khilare, and officers Nilesh Mokashi, Mitesh Chormole, Abhinay Chaudhary, Sagar Borge, Kiran Sable, Sachin Sarpale, Mahesh Baravkar, Mangesh Pawar, Sachin Gade, Nilesh Khairmode, Tukaram Sutar, and Sandeep Agale.
Authorities are now verifying the ownership of the seized phones and further legal proceedings are underway.
