Pune: Two Men Arrested for Robbing Cab and Causing Series of Accidents

Shivajinagar, 3rd December 2024: Two men were arrested on Sunday afternoon for robbing a cab, and then driving it recklessly through multiple areas, causing a series of accidents. The vehicle was eventually stopped in Shivajinagar after hitting a car, leading to the suspects’ arrests.

The accused, identified as Mustafa Shafiq Qureshi (20), a resident of Khadki, and Siddhant Chavan (20) from Bopodi, were apprehended after a chaotic series of events.

According to the police, the duo stole a cab at around 3:30 p.m. by threatening the driver, Akshay Kale (19), and his passenger. They forced Kale to hand over the keys to the vehicle and also robbed him of Rs 4,000 before fleeing in the cab.

Kale later reported the incident to the police, prompting an investigation. Sub-inspector Anna Gunjal from Khadki Police Station provided details of the robbery, stating, “Kale was on his way from Dehu Road to Pune station to drop a passenger when the two accused stopped his vehicle near the Eggs Incubation Centre Chowk. They threatened him, stole the keys, and took Rs 4,000 from him.”

Gunjal continued, “The duo then drove off in the cab, leaving Kale and his passenger behind. As they sped towards Shivajinagar, the cab struck a pedestrian on the old Pune-Mumbai highway. The suspects continued driving recklessly, hitting two autorickshaws near COEP Chowk flyover and later colliding with a car at Sancheti Hospital Chowk.”

At Sancheti Hospital Chowk, the cab became stuck in traffic, which ultimately led to the driver losing control. “The crash caused a traffic jam, and the vehicle couldn’t move further. People quickly gathered around the cab and alerted the police. While Chavan managed to flee the scene, Qureshi remained there and was arrested by the Khadki and Shivajinagar police,” said Gunjal.

The arrested individuals, both unemployed, have previous records of violence. Police also confirmed that the pedestrian and two autorickshaw drivers involved in the incident sustained minor injuries. Following the arrest of Qureshi, Chavan was tracked down and taken into custody.