Pune: Rickshaw Driver, Two Minors Arrested by Wanawadi Police for Passenger Robberies; 30 Phones Recovered
Wanwadi, 7th October 2025: In a significant breakthrough, the Wanawadi Police have arrested a rickshaw driver and detained two minors involved in a series of night-time robberies targeting passengers across Pune. The police recovered 30 stolen mobile phones valued at ₹3,70,200, along with a rickshaw used in the crimes.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Pune City Police Commissioner, following multiple complaints of mobile phone thefts.
Based on a tip-off, a team from Wanawadi Police Station, led by Assistant Police Inspector (API) Umakant Mahadik and assisted by constables Atul Gaikwad and Amol Pilane, intercepted a rickshaw (MH 12 VB 9420) near a washing center at Navin MHADA Colony, Hadapsar.
The suspects attempted to flee but were quickly apprehended. The arrested adult has been identified as Faizan Mohammad Gaus Shaikh, a resident of Uruli Devachi, while the two minors have been taken into custody as Children in Conflict with Law (CCL).
A search of the rickshaw revealed a Vivo mobile phone and a knife hidden in the storage compartment. During interrogation, the accused confessed that they would lure lone passengers from Pune Railway Station, offering rides to Shivajinagar for ₹50. They would then divert passengers to isolated areas near Turf Club Racecourse, Bairobanala, where they threatened victims with a knife and robbed them of mobile phones, cash, and other valuables.
A case has been registered at Wanawadi Police Station under sections 308(8) and 3(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, recorded as Crime Register No. 306/2025. Initially, property worth ₹80,100, including a mobile phone and the rickshaw, was seized. Further investigation led to the recovery of 29 additional mobile phones valued at ₹2,90,100, concealed in a blue bag.
The adult accused has been produced before the court, while the minors have been presented before the Juvenile Justice Board. The suspects are also linked to other cases — CR No. 400/2025 and CR No. 290/2021 — registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Indian Penal Code, respectively.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 5) Dr. Rajkumar Shinde, Assistant Commissioner of Police Dhanyakumar Godse, and Senior Police Inspector Vijaykumar Doke. The investigation team included API Umakant Mahadik, and police personnel Daya Shegar, Mahesh Gadhave, Amol Pilane, Atul Gaikwad, Vishnu Sutar, Gopal Madane, Abhijit Chavan, Amol Gaikwad, Arshad Sayyed, Vitthal Chormale, Yatin Bhosale, Balaji Waghmare, Ashish Kamble, and Sujata Phulsundar.
