In a brazen daylight robbery, a group of armed dacoits targeted a jewellery store in Pune's Hadapsar area, making off with gold ornaments valued at a staggering Rs 52 lakh. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the locality, occurred on Saturday evening in the Shewalwadi neighbourhood.
Modus Operandi of the Robbery
The heist unfolded around 5:30 PM on Saturday at a shop situated on the busy Pune-Solapur highway. According to the complaint filed by the store owner, four of the suspects entered the premises under the guise of being customers. A fifth accomplice remained outside, presumably keeping watch and managing the getaway.
Once inside, the men quickly dropped their pretence. They threatened the shop owner with a billhook (a type of cutting tool) and sternly warned him against raising any alarm. With the owner immobilised by fear, the robbers then proceeded to systematically empty the display trays of all gold jewellery, collecting the valuables into a bag.
Police Investigation Underway
The traumatised store owner lodged a formal complaint with the Manjari police station on Sunday. Law enforcement officials have since registered a case against the five unidentified suspects. A key focus of the investigation is the CCTV footage obtained from cameras in the vicinity.
Police teams are meticulously studying the recordings to ascertain the registration numbers of the two-wheelers used by the culprits for their escape. The footage is also being analysed to get clearer glimpses of the suspects' faces and build identifiable profiles.
Community Concern and Next Steps
This high-value robbery has heightened concerns about security for businesses located along major highways and in the Hadapsar belt. The audacity of the crime, carried out during evening hours on a Saturday, points to a well-planned operation.
The Manjari police are pursuing all active leads. The investigation will involve tracking the escape route, analysing the modus operandi against similar past crimes, and circulating descriptions of the suspects to other police units. The recovery of the stolen gold, worth Rs 52 lakh, remains a top priority for the authorities.
