Debo Times Crime Desk
Updated: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 12:16 PM IST

In a major crackdown on two-wheeler theft in Pune, the Crime Branch has arrested several thieves and seized 162 two-wheelers worth over Rs 54 lakh.

The operation was carried out in various parts of the city under the guidance of Joint Commissioner of Police Sandeep Karnik and Additional Commissioner of Crime Branch Ramnath Pokle, DCP (crime) Amol Zende and ACP Sunil Pawar.

According to police officials, crimes related to two-wheeler theft have been on the rise in the city. Police Commissioner Retesh Kumaarr had instructed all Crime Branch teams to catch the thieves. After receiving information, police Sub-Inspectors Suresh Jaibhai and Nitin Munde of Unit Six of the Crime Branch led the operation and apprehended several suspects.

Investigations revealed that the thieves sold the stolen two-wheelers at cheaper prices in rural areas, promising to provide the necessary documents later. Police seized 100 bikes from the suspects, and it was revealed that Ajay Shende is the leader of the gang of thieves.

The operation conducted by the Unit Five team led to the arrest of Sanket Namdev Bhise, Aditya Balu Mulekar, and Vaibhav Nagnath Binwade, all residents of Hadapsar. Fourteen two-wheelers worth Rs 5 lakh 40 thousand were seized from them. It was discovered that Binwade was a criminal on police record.

Other arrests were made by the Crime Branch Unit Two, including Bhagwan Rajaram Munde from Parbhani, who was found in possession of 19 two-wheelers. Additionally, Rahul Rajendra Pawar, Gaurav alias Pintya Machhindra Kusale, Santosh Ashok Kumar Saxena alias Sameer Sheikh, and Prashant alias Pappu Subrao Thosar were arrested, and nine two-wheelers worth Rs 5 lakh 55 thousand were seized from them.

The Anti-Robbery and Vehicle Theft Squad (Two) also apprehended Kishore Uttam Shinde, Shahik Kalim Shaikh, Aman Nana Kanchare, and Nagnath Ashriba Mendhe, who were found in possession of 21 two-wheelers. A minor accomplice who was with them has been detained.

The police officials who led the operation included Senior Police Inspectors Rajnish Nirmal, Krantikumar Patil, Ulhas Kadam, Sunil Pandharkar, and Ganesh Mane, along with Assistant Inspectors Vikas Jadhav, Vivek Padvi, Gunga Jagtap, Jaideep Patil, Suresh Jaibhai, and Bhairavanath Shelke.

This operation by the Pune Crime Branch is considered the largest action against two-wheeler theft in the city in recent years. Police Commissioner Retesh Kumaarr praised the efforts of the Crime Branch teams and assured citizens that they will continue to work towards maintaining law and order in the city.