Pune Police Nab Serial Burglar Linked to Over 50 House Break-ins
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Shivajinagar, 13th February 2025: The Shivajinagar police have arrested a notorious burglar who targeted homes across Pune and other cities in Maharashtra using reconnaissance and disguises.
The accused, identified as Harshad Gulab Pawar (31, resident of Gulabnagar, Ghotawade Phata, Mulshi), was found to have committed over 50 house burglaries, police said on Thursday.
During the investigation, the police seized gold and silver ornaments, a knife, a screwdriver, and 49 different keys used for breaking locks, with the total value of stolen goods amounting to ₹17.07 lakh. The arrest was confirmed at a press conference today by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Sandeep Singh Gill, in the presence of Assistant Commissioner of Police Sainath Thombre and Senior Inspector Chandrashekhar Sawant.
A case was registered at Shivajinagar police station last year regarding a house burglary. On February 4, while patrolling, the police received a tip-off that the suspect was staying near the Mhasoba Gate bus stop. Acting swiftly, the police laid a trap and arrested Harshad Pawar. Upon checking his bag, officers found gold and silver ornaments, leading to his interrogation.
During questioning, Pawar confessed to committing multiple house break-ins using detailed reconnaissance. Further investigation revealed that he was responsible for 13 recent house burglaries across different police station limits:
Shivajinagar – 3 cases
Warje Malwadi – 3 cases
Khadak – 2 cases
Airport – 2 cases
Chandannagar, Bavdhan, and Alandi – 1 case each
The investigation was led by Senior Inspector Chandrashekhar Sawant and executed by a police team comprising Inspector (Crime) Chandrakant Suryavanshi, Assistant Inspector Sanjay Pandhare, Rajkumar Kendere, Sub-Inspector Ajit Bade, and policemen Rupesh Waghmare, Bhau Chavan, Rajkiran Pachar, Mahavir Kalte, Sachin Jadhav, and Aadesh Chalwadi.
Police revealed that Harshad Pawar had previously been arrested for 51 burglaries in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad but resumed his crimes after securing bail in 2023. His arrest marks a significant breakthrough in solving multiple burglary cases across the city.
The accused is currently in police custody, and further investigations are underway to identify any additional accomplices or stolen valuables.
