Pune: Thief Abandons Rs 19.5 Lakh Foreign Currency Safe After Failed Getaway in Balewadi
Balewadi, 4th July 2025: In a bizarre turn of events, an unidentified thief who broke into a private forex exchange office in Balewadi and made away with a safe containing foreign currency worth nearly ₹19.53 lakh, ended up abandoning the loot just 300 meters from the scene after failing to balance it on his motorcycle.
The incident occurred around 3 am on Wednesday at a commercial complex in Balewadi. The safe was later found intact in an open plot near Yashada Chowk, said police officials.
Rohit Malusare (40), a forex trader residing in Somwar Peth and owner of the exchange office, lodged a complaint with the Baner Police early in the morning after discovering the break-in.
Thief’s Getaway Attempt Captured on CCTV
“We examined CCTV footage from the building, Malusare’s office, and nearby shops. It clearly showed the suspect arriving on a motorcycle, breaking into the office, and struggling to haul the safe out,” said Senior Inspector Chandrashekhar Sawant of Baner Police Station.
According to Inspector Sawant, “The footage revealed that the thief had a tough time lifting and loading the safe onto his bike. Despite the difficulty, he managed to ride away from the complex, which unfortunately lacked a security guard.”
However, the escape was short-lived.
“Footage from another camera 200 metres down the road showed the man still riding with the safe. But just 100 metres further, a different camera captured him without it,” Sawant explained. “That gave us a clue. We began combing the area between those two camera locations and eventually found the safe dumped in some bushes on an open plot.”
Full Recovery, No Arrest Yet
The safe was found unopened, and all foreign currency notes were recovered intact, said police. Authorities suspect the thief ditched the heavy safe after realizing he couldn’t transport it further without attracting attention.
“We’re now working to identify and apprehend the accused based on the CCTV footage and other technical leads,” Inspector Sawant added.
Police are continuing their investigation and have urged anyone with information about the suspect to come forward.
