Pune Crime Branch Arrests Two Interstate Thieves; Eight Laptop and Mobile Theft Cases Solved, Property Worth Rs 5.5 Lakh Recovered
Pune, 2nd November 2026: The Pune City Police Crime Branch has arrested two interstate thieves allegedly involved in stealing laptops, expensive mobile phones and electronic gadgets from paying guest (PG) accommodations in Pune. The Robbery and Vehicle Theft Prevention Squad 2 has solved eight theft cases registered at Hadapsar, Kharadi and Chandannagar police stations and recovered stolen property worth ₹5.5 lakh.
According to Senior Police Inspector Anjum Bagwan, the police had formed two special teams following an increase in thefts targeting students and IT professionals residing in PG accommodations across the city.
During the investigation of a theft case registered at Hadapsar Police Station (FIR No. 701/2026), involving stolen laptops, mobile phones and electronic equipment worth ₹2.10 lakh, the police examined CCTV footage from the surrounding areas and developed confidential intelligence.
Based on the investigation, the police apprehended two suspects near Gadital in Hadapsar on October 31. The accused have been identified as Kumar Mariyappan (33) and Krishna Olodan (25). Both are originally from Ambur in Tamil Nadu and were residing in Yavat, Daund taluka, Pune district.
During questioning, the accused allegedly confessed to their involvement in the Hadapsar theft case. Further investigation revealed their alleged involvement in several thefts in Kharadi and Chandannagar. The accused also disclosed that they had concealed the stolen property at their residence in Yavat.
Following their disclosure, the police conducted a search in the presence of panch witnesses and recovered laptops, mobile phones and other electronic equipment worth ₹5.5 lakh. The recovery helped the police detect a total of eight theft cases.
Explaining the accused’s modus operandi, Senior Police Inspector Anjum Bagwan said that the two men had allegedly travelled from Tamil Nadu to Pune specifically to commit laptop and mobile phone thefts. They stayed in rented accommodation in rural areas surrounding Pune and entered the city early in the morning. They targeted PG accommodations occupied by students and IT professionals, taking advantage of unlocked room doors to steal laptops and expensive mobile phones. After collecting the stolen items, they would reportedly travel to Tamil Nadu and sell the valuables there.
Of the eight cases detected, one was registered at Hadapsar Police Station, five at Kharadi Police Station and two at Chandannagar Police Station.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Police Sanjay Darade, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Tejaswi Satpute, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Gohar Hasan and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch 3, Shankar Khatke.
The team comprised Senior Police Inspector Anjum Bagwan, Police Sub-Inspector Santosh Tanwade, Assistant Police Sub-Inspector Jotiba Kurale, Police Head Constables Paresh Sawant, Mahesh Baravkar and Rupali Suryawanshi, and police personnel Sachin Kamble, Prafull More and Vinayak Yevale, all attached to the Robbery and Vehicle Theft Prevention Squad 2, Pune City Crime Branch.
