The Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Pune Rural Police has arrested a notorious interstate burglar, Lakhan Ashok Kulkarni alias Sachin Raju Mane (31), in connection with a high-profile burglary in Shripatinagar, Bhor. The police recovered stolen property worth Rs16.58 lakh, including 8.5 tolas of gold ornaments, 2 kilograms of silver utensils, and cash.
The burglary took place on the night of January 13, when four locked houses were broken into, resulting in theft valued at Rs26.35 lakh. The victim, Madhav Damodar Purohit (64), filed the complaint that prompted a detailed investigation by the LCB.
Kulkarni, a resident of Mangalwedha in Solapur district, has a criminal record with over 50 burglary cases across Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat. He previously served seven years in prison for theft-related offenses in Karnataka.
Under the guidance of Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh, the team analyzed CCTV footage from the area, which revealed a single suspect roaming near the crime scene hours before the incident. Acting on a tip-off, police intercepted Kulkarni near Sasewadi on the Pune-Satara Road on January 24.
During interrogation, Kulkarni confessed to the crime and revealed that he used a Hyundai Elantra for the burglary. Both the vehicle and stolen items have been seized. The investigation was led by PI Avinash Shilimkar with support from officers including Annasaheb Pawar and API Dattajirao Mohite.
