Pune Police Arrest 3 for Targeting Elderly Autorickshaw Passengers, Recover Rs 15 Lakh Gold
Pune, 8th September 2026: Samarth police have arrested three members of an alleged gang accused of targeting elderly autorickshaw passengers and stealing their gold ornaments. Police recovered gold jewellery weighing around 10 tolas and valued at approximately ₹15 lakh from the accused.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Krushikesh Rawale said the case was registered after a senior citizen’s 25-gram gold chain was stolen while she was travelling in an autorickshaw from Power House Chowk to Bhawani Peth on June 14.
“The accused allegedly targeted elderly passengers travelling in autorickshaws. They would surround a victim inside the vehicle and discreetly steal gold ornaments and other valuables,” DCP Rawale said, citing details of the investigation.
The incident occurred between 11.30 am and 11.40 am. According to police, four unidentified individuals travelling in the autorickshaw allegedly acted together to steal the woman’s chain.
Samarth police registered Crime No. 175/2026 under Sections 303(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and launched an investigation.
First Accused Arrested in July
Acting on information obtained through confidential sources, the investigation team learnt that the suspects were from Jalgaon and allegedly specialised in stealing valuables from elderly passengers during autorickshaw journeys.
Police identified and arrested Shakir Jakir Teli, 29, a resident of Santosh Nagar in Katraj, at around 10.05 pm on July 1.
During questioning, Teli allegedly identified his associates as:
Mohsin Khan Nur Khan, 31, a resident of the municipal employees’ quarters near Gendalal Mill in Jalgaon
Ismail alias Raju Shabbir Sheikh, 50, a resident of the area behind Ekta Hall in Jalgaon
Ganesh alias Memory, a resident of Jalgaon
Police subsequently traced Mohsin Khan and Ismail Sheikh to Maldhakka Chowk in Pune. According to the police, the two were allegedly preparing to commit another similar offence when they were detained. They were arrested at around 8.25 pm on September 2 in connection with the case.
Efforts are underway to trace Ganesh alias Memory.
Suspected Involvement in Other Cases
During detailed questioning, the arrested accused allegedly admitted their involvement in similar offences committed in the Sinhagad Road, Kale Padal, Wanwadi and Bund Garden areas of Pune, as well as in parts of Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Police said gold ornaments weighing around 10 tolas and valued at approximately ₹15 lakh were seized following the investigation.
“The investigation has indicated that the accused may have committed similar offences in several parts of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Further investigation is underway to establish their involvement in other cases and recover additional stolen property,” DCP Rawale said.
Officers and Personnel Involved
The operation was conducted under the supervision and guidance of:
Rajesh Bansode, Additional Commissioner of Police, Western Regional Division
Krushikesh Rawale, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 1
Sachin Hire, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Faraskhana Division
Jayant Rajurkar, Senior Police Inspector, Samarth Police Station
Chetan More, Police Inspector (Crime), Samarth Police Station
The investigation team comprised:
Assistant Police Inspector Sandeep Patil, detection branch in-charge
Assistant Sub-Inspector Pagar
Police Havaldar Rohidas Waghere
Police Havaldar Imran Sheikh
Police Havaldar Aichare
Police Havaldar Shiva Kamble
Police Havaldar Amol Gawade
Woman Police Havaldar Gangawane
Police Constable Avinash Darwade
Police Constable Chaudhary
Police Constable Yadav
