In a significant breakthrough, the Pune Rural Police on Wednesday successfully apprehended a three-member criminal gang that was systematically targeting industrial workers in the Ranjangaon MIDC area. The police operation led to the recovery of five stolen mobile handsets and a motorcycle, with the total estimated value of the seized items amounting to Rs 1.5 lakh.
Arrested Suspects Identified
The individuals taken into custody have been identified as Nilesh Pawar, aged 28, from Parner in Ahilyanagar district; Mohan Bhoge, 29, of Shirur; and Abhijit Pawar, 35, from Sangamner in Ahilyanagar. According to police officials, this trio specifically preyed upon workers commuting to or from their shifts within the bustling MIDC industrial hub, exploiting their vulnerability during transit hours.
Investigation Triggered by January Incident
Senior Police Inspector Mahadev Waghmode of the Ranjangaon police station revealed that the investigation was initiated following a distressing incident on January 14. On that day, three unidentified men assaulted a worker and forcibly took his mobile phone. "Subsequent to this event, we received multiple complaints from other workers reporting similar mobile robbery incidents," Inspector Waghmode stated, highlighting the pattern that emerged.
Police Action and Recovery
A dedicated team, led by Sub-Inspector Avinash Thorat, meticulously analyzed the descriptions provided by the victims and identified consistent details about the suspects. Acting on a crucial tip-off, the police strategically intercepted the trio. "Upon taking them into custody, we successfully recovered five robbed mobile handsets and the motorcycle that was used in the execution of these crimes," Inspector Waghmode added, underscoring the effectiveness of the police response.
Ongoing Interrogation and Broader Implications
The police are currently conducting intensive interrogations with the arrested suspects to ascertain their potential involvement in other similar robbery cases across the district. This arrest not only brings relief to the affected industrial workers but also serves as a stern warning to criminal elements operating in the region. The recovery of stolen property worth Rs 1.5 lakh marks a substantial achievement in curbing such targeted crimes against hardworking individuals.
