Pimpri Chinchwad Crime Branch Nabs Chain Snatchers; Recovers Stolen Jewelry Worth Rs 2.97 Lakhs
Pimpri Chinchwad, 28th October 2023: Crime Branch Unit 5 of Pimpri Chinchwad Police has successfully arrested three individuals involved in a series of daring jewelry snatchings from women pedestrians.
The accused, identified as Akash Wazir Rathod, Visam Rakesh Nanawat (20 years old), and Vishrant Rakesh Nanawat (22 years old), were apprehended near Shelarwadi bus stop on the Old Pune Mumbai highway.
The arrests come after a spree of thefts where the snatchers targeted women on foot, making a swift getaway on a two-wheeler.
The arrests were made possible through meticulous investigative work, spearheaded by DCP (Crime Branch) Swapna Gore. The modus operandi of the criminals involved snatching gold ornaments from the necks of women and fleeing in a dramatic ‘Dhoom’ style. The stolen items, with an estimated value of Rs 2.97 lakhs, have been seized by the police.
The criminal activities came to light on October 11 when an incident occurred in Indori, falling under the jurisdiction of Talegaon MIDC Police Station. A case was registered against the unidentified thieves, leading to parallel investigations by Crime Branch Unit 5. The police’s efforts were aided by the analysis of approximately 75 CCTV footages across locations like Indori, Dehugaon, Talwade, Chikhali, Moshi, and Alandi.
After tracing the accused through the CCTV footage, policemen Thackeray and Malusare received information that the suspects were residing near Shelarwadi bus stop. Acting swiftly, the police laid a trap in the area, resulting in the detention of the three individuals.
Further investigations revealed that the stolen jewelry was taken to Alandi for sale. The accused are linked to multiple cases in Talegaon MIDC, Dehurod, and Dighi areas. The police confiscated 66.56 grams of gold jewelry, a two-wheeler, and a mobile phone, collectively valued at Rs 2,97,020.
The arrested individuals have been handed over to the Talegaon MIDC police for further legal proceedings. The successful operation was conducted by Senior Police Inspector Ajit Lakde, Police Sub-Inspector Rahul Koli, and a team comprising Constables Bansode, Thackeray, Rathod, Malusare, Sheikh, Khedkar, Eghare, Gadekar, Bhosale, and Bramhande.
