Pune Police's Dramatic River Swim Chase Captures Armed Robbers
In a thrilling operation last month, Pune Rural police officers swam across a river to capture a gang of five armed robbers. The criminals had executed a bold daylight robbery at a jewellery shop in Khanapur, making off with gold ornaments and cash valued at over Rs 1 crore.
The Daring Daylight Robbery
On December 26, five men on motorcycles targeted a gold jewellery shop located on the Pune-Panshet road in Haveli taluka. Around 12:30 pm, they entered the premises wearing black masks and hoods that covered their heads. The assailants carried sickles and sharp, sword-like weapons.
Shop owner Amol Babar and two women staff members were present inside when the robbers jumped over the counter. One of the attackers, described as fair-complexioned and wearing a light brown checked hoodie, threatened the staff with a sickle. He warned them not to shout and demanded they quietly hand over valuables.
The robbers then smashed the glass showcases and counter trays. They removed the gold ornaments on display and stuffed them into a plastic bag they had brought along. During the incident, owner Amol Babar held a mobile phone. One assailant assaulted him, broke his phone, and verbally abused him.
Another accused damaged two CCTV cameras installed in the shop using a sickle. A lookout remained stationed outside the shop, watching for anyone approaching. The assailants also attacked and injured the two women staffers before fleeing with the loot.
The Police Investigation and Chase
After the robbery, staff members called the 112 emergency number and contacted the owner's wife. Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill formed six investigation teams comprising officers from Haveli police station and the Local Crime Branch.
Investigators first traced the movement of the motorcycles used by the accused. The trail led them towards a forest area in Singapur village within Velhe taluka. Police teams reached a specific location in Velhe based on technical leads.
At the scene, a local cricket match was underway. Two of the accused were spotted standing near the match venue. When they noticed the police vehicle, they immediately fled toward a nearby river.
The police gave chase in their vehicle until the suspects abandoned their two-wheeler and began running on foot. Officers pursued them across rugged, non-motorable terrain. The suspects reached the riverbank and jumped into the water.
The Dramatic River Capture
Two members of the Local Crime Branch team reached the riverbank first. Instead of simply swimming behind the suspects, they strategically swam to a corner and intercepted the robbers on the opposite bank. Other police personnel arrived at the opposite bank and helped apprehend the two suspects.
Based on leads provided by those initially caught, police subsequently nabbed three more accused. The arrests included Ankush Dagdu Kachre, aged 20, and Ganesh Bhambu Kachre, aged 23, along with their three minor accomplices.
Police also arrested another man who had allegedly supplied a weapon used in the crime and participated in the conspiracy. Investigation revealed that Kachre is a history-sheeter with three prior offences.
Authorities recovered the sharp weapons used in the heist and most of the looted gold ornaments. The successful operation demonstrated exceptional coordination and physical effort by Pune Rural police officers.
