In a significant breakthrough, the Pimpri Chinchwad Crime Branch arrested 20-year-old Prem Nanawat from Maval on April 23, 2025. Nanawat is implicated in nine chain snatching incidents and a vehicle theft across Pimpri Chinchwad and surrounding districts.
The arrest was led by Senior Inspector Vijay Dhamal, who utilized CCTV footage to track down the suspect. Nanawat had been on the run since April 11, when his two minor accomplices were apprehended by the Mahalunge MIDC police. These accomplices had been involved in four chain snatching cases.
According to the police, Nanawat and his associates targeted women during nighttime walks, often after dinner or while returning from markets. They used a stolen motorcycle for their crimes.
During interrogation, Nanawat confessed to his involvement in eight chain snatching incidents in Pimpri Chinchwad and one in Lonavla. The stolen motorcycle was taken from Chakan. He has been handed over to the Chikhali police for further investigation.
