In a swift police operation, Pune Rural Police have apprehended five individuals, including three minors, in connection with a daring armed robbery of gold jewellery valued at a staggering Rs 1.05 crore from a store in Khanapur. The brazen daylight heist occurred last Friday, sending shockwaves through the area.
The Daring Daylight Robbery
The incident unfolded around 12:30 pm on Friday at the Vaishnavi jewellery store located on the Pune-Panshet road in Khanapur. According to police reports, five young assailants, armed with sharp weapons, stormed into the shop which was being managed by the owner Amol Babar, his wife, and another woman. The group threatened the occupants and swiftly made off with gold ornaments worth Rs 1.05 crore.
The accused, traveling on two motorcycles, fled the scene immediately after committing the crime. The store's CCTV cameras captured the entire sequence of events, which later became crucial evidence for the investigating teams.
Swift Police Investigation and Arrests
A special investigation team was formed under the leadership of Senior Inspector Avinash Shilimkar. By meticulously analyzing the CCTV footage, the team identified the two motorcycles used in the robbery. The trail led the police towards Velhe in Rajgad taluka.
"After committing the dacoity, the youngsters did not know what to do with the jewellery," revealed Senior Inspector Shilimkar, highlighting the lack of planning post-theft. Following inquiries in Velhe, the police zeroed in on the suspects but found they had retreated into the familiar hilly terrain of Singapur village to hide.
Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Sandeep Gill stated, "They know the hilly terrain of Singapur and adjoining valleys. The police teams were formed to track and nab them." The police teams combed the area and successfully arrested two adults and detained three minors.
Accused Identified and Recovery Made
The two arrested adults have been identified as Ankush Dagadu Kachare (20) and Ganesh Bhambu Kachare (23), both residents of Katraj. Police confirmed that all five accused, including the three minors aged between 16 and 17 years, are natives of Rajgad taluka. The arrested duo worked as drivers.
In a significant breakthrough, the police have successfully recovered gold jewellery worth Rs 70.32 lakh from the arrested individuals. The recovery accounts for a substantial portion of the stolen property. The investigation is ongoing to trace the remaining stolen jewellery and establish the complete motive behind the crime.
This case underscores the challenges of policing in rural and hilly terrains but also highlights the effectiveness of coordinated police action using technological evidence like CCTV footage. The Pune rural police's prompt response has prevented the accused from disposing of the majority of the stolen valuables.
