In a significant crackdown, the Bavdhan police in Pune have successfully dismantled an inter-state gang involved in stealing cars and commercial vehicles, leading to three arrests and the recovery of stolen property worth lakhs.
30-Kilometer Chase Leads to Dramatic Arrest
The police operation, led by Senior Police Inspector Anil Vibhute, culminated on Thursday following an intense 30-kilometer chase through the Mulshi Taluka area. The police team had been laying a trap in the Bhugaon area for two days based on a specific tip-off. When the accused spotted the officers, they attempted to flee, triggering the high-speed pursuit that ended with their capture.
Notorious Trio with Lengthy Criminal Records
The arrested individuals have been identified as Dhanaji Lokare (35), Amit Gawali (30), and Dattatrya Jadhav (35), all hailing from Solapur district. The trio are seasoned criminals with multiple cases already registered against them. Lokare had 10 cases, Jadhav had seven, and Gawali had five separate vehicle theft cases filed at various police stations across the state.
Meticulous Investigation and Recovery of Vehicles
The breakthrough in the case came after a mini-truck was stolen from the Bavdhan area on December 31 last year. Assistant Police Inspector Ashok Dongre and his team meticulously scanned over 90 CCTV footage to gather clues about the perpetrators. The investigation gained momentum when Police Constable Farukh Mulla received a tip-off that the suspects would be arriving in Bhugaon on January 5.
During sustained interrogation after their arrest, the gang members confessed to stealing the mini-truck from the Mahalunge area. They further admitted to four additional thefts. The police subsequently recovered a total of five stolen vehicles with a combined value of approximately Rs 14 lakh.
The recovered vehicles include:
- A mini-truck
- Two pick-up trucks
- An SUV
- A car
These vehicles were found in the Pimpri Chinchwad area and Saswad. This successful operation highlights the persistent efforts of the Pune police in tackling organized vehicle theft and bringing repeat offenders to justice.
