Pune: Chikki Vendor Robbed at Gunpoint in Lonavala; CCTV Footage Surfaces
Lonavala, 20th July 2025: In a shocking incident, a chikki vendor in Lonavala was robbed at gunpoint early Sunday morning, sparking fear among local traders in the popular tourist destination. The robbery, which took place around 5:15 am at Gawli Wada on the Old Pune-Mumbai Highway, was captured on CCTV.
According to police, three unidentified men targeted the chikki stall as it opened for business. Two of the assailants, with their faces partially covered with handkerchiefs, approached the vendor and began assaulting him. The vendor was punched in the face and ears, and threatened at gunpoint while the accused forcibly took cash from the stall.
CCTV footage shows the vendor being grabbed by the collar and violently attacked as the robbers looted the money before fleeing the scene. The incident occurred on a Sunday morning, when the area typically sees heavy footfall due to a surge in tourists from Pune and Mumbai.
The brazen daylight crime has left local shopkeepers alarmed, with many calling for increased police patrolling in the area, especially during weekends when the town is crowded with visitors.
“Lonavala is a tourist hub, and such incidents damage the town’s reputation and create insecurity among traders,” a local vendor said.
Lonavala police have launched an investigation and are examining CCTV footage from nearby establishments to identify and trace the accused. Police teams are also questioning possible eyewitnesses in the vicinity.
Further updates are awaited as the investigation progresses.
