Pune: Sandalwood Thieves Arrested, 95 Kg Sandalwood Seized
Pune, 24th August 2022: The Crime Branch of Pune city police nabbed the thieves who cut sandalwood trees from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) premises a week ago. Five cases of sandalwood theft have been revealed.
Lahu Tanaji Jadhav (age 32), Hanumant Ramesh Jadhav (age 30), Mahadev Tanaji Jadhav (age 30), and Ramdas Shahaji Mane (age 28) were arrested. Main accused Ashok Machhindra Tandale (age 30) is on the run.
There were incidents of sandalwood trees being cut from the premises of Aranyeshwar English School and National Defense Academy (NDA). A week ago, thieves had cut sandalwood trees from the premises of FTII on Law College Road.
The crime was being investigated by the police. The trunk of the sandalwood tree stolen from the NDA premises was sold to Tandale. After receiving this information from Unit 3 of the Crime Branch, the police team went to Tandale’s house. Tandale was not found at the house and his wife was interrogated. 85 kg sandalwood was seized from Tandale’s house.
Accused Jadhav and Mane were caught by laying a trap after receiving information that a gang of thieves who cut sandalwood trees would come to the Sinhagad road area. Axes were used to cut sandalwood trees, and empty sacks and wax were seized from them. 10 kg sandalwood has been seized from accused Jadhav and Mane.
Under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police Srinivas Ghadge, Assistant Commissioner Gajanan Tompe, a team led by Senior Police Inspector Anita More, Sub-Inspector Ajit Kumar Patil, Gunga Jagtap, Santosh Kshirsagar, Rajendra Marne, Ramdas Gonete, Sharad Vakse, Kiran Pawar, Sujit Pawar, and others took this action.
