In a dramatic turn of events, police have arrested Pramod Shinde (32), an employee of a trader from Sangola, for allegedly staging a fake robbery and stealing Rs 12.8 lakh with the help of three accomplices. Two of the conspirators, Siddheshwar Dange (27) and Toufik Maneri (35), both from Sangola in Solapur district, have also been arrested. One accomplice remains on the run.
The money was entrusted to Shinde by his employer to purchase jamun from the Andhra Pradesh market. On the night of June 2, while traveling in a pickup van, Shinde feigned illness and exited the vehicle, after which a car carrying the three accomplices arrived.
The group attacked Shinde and the van driver, Abhijeet Wadkar (25), using chilli spray, and stole the bag containing the cash. Wadkar filed a complaint at the Umadi police station.
However, inconsistencies in the story raised suspicions. Assistant Inspector Sandip Kamble stated, “Shinde had been in contact with the accused before the robbery. He planned the entire heist and promised them a share of the money.”
Police quickly apprehended Dange and Maneri, recovering the full amount of Rs 12.8 lakh. A manhunt is ongoing for the third suspect.
