Pune Police have arrested three men, including the mastermind Omkar Ravi Shinde, in connection with the armed robbery at a jewellery store in Vadgaon Budruk. The crime took place on Tuesday afternoon, and involved the theft of gold ornaments worth Rs4.5 lakh.
According to police officials, the suspects used a toy gun and a billhook to threaten Mangal Gharge, the 55-year-old wife of store owner Shankar Gharge, who was alone at the time.
The suspects—Omkar Shinde (22) of Narhe, Vardan Sanjay Kharatmal (20), and Amar Hanumant Wabhale (20), both from Vadgaon Budruk—were arrested from Ahilyanagar early Wednesday morning after the detention and questioning of their 16-year-old accomplice led police to them.
According to ACP Pankaj Deshmukh, Shinde was the mastermind who conducted a reconnaissance of the store prior to the heist. The crime was executed by the minor, along with Kharatmal and Wabhale.
Police confirmed that:
All stolen gold has been recovered
A toy gun used for intimidation was seized
A billhook, a sharp-edged tool used to threaten the victim, was also recovered
Notably, Kharatmal has a prior criminal record for bodily offences, while Shinde was previously involved in sexual assault cases.
The trio, wearing face coverings, barged into Shri Gajanan Jewellery Store, committing the robbery within minutes before fleeing.
Police investigations are ongoing, and officials have warned that juvenile involvement in violent crimes is rising and being taken very seriously.
