Pune Crime News: Chain Snatcher Arrested for Robbing Devotees During Ganeshotsav
Pune, 8th September 2025: The Vishrambaug Police have arrested a 22-year-old habitual chain snatcher who allegedly took advantage of heavy crowds during the Ganesh festivities in Pune to steal gold ornaments. With his arrest, police have solved seven theft cases and recovered stolen jewellery worth ₹7.11 lakh.
According to police, the accused has been identified as Parsha alias Prashant Shivram Shinde (22), a resident of Khulewadi near Laxmimata Temple, Pune.
The case began with a complaint filed on September 6, when an unidentified person allegedly snatched a two-tola gold chain with Rudraksha beads from a devotee near Belbag Chowk, Laxmi Road, during the Ganesh procession. Following the complaint, a case under Section 379 (theft) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered at Vishrambaug Police Station.
During the investigation, Policeman Arjun Thorat reviewed CCTV footage and identified a suspicious individual. Acting on a tip-off received by Policeman Amol Bhosale, the police traced the suspect to his residence in Khulewadi and detained him. Upon interrogation, Shinde confessed to the theft and admitted involvement in several similar offences.
Further inquiry revealed that Shinde had handed over the stolen jewellery to an associate living nearby. Police subsequently recovered 70.37 grams of gold ornaments valued at ₹7.11 lakh, connected to seven separate theft cases registered with Vishrambaug Police.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Additional Commissioner of Police (West Region) Rajesh Bansode, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Krushikesh Rawale, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Sainath Thombre.
The team included Senior Police Inspector Pradeep Kasbe, Police Inspector (Crime) Arun Ghodke, Assistant Police Inspector Rajesh Usgavkar and police personnel Sachin Kadam, Ganesh Kathe, Sachin Ahivale, Shailesh Surve, Amol Bhosale, Ashish Kharat, Sagar More, Shivdatt Gaikwad, Anis Shaikh, Arjun Thorat, Nitin Babar, Rahul Mali, and woman constable Pathare.
