In a significant operation, Pune city police’s crime branch arrested six individuals, including three minors, in connection with an armed robbery at Mahavir Jewellers in Shewalewadi near Hadapsar.
The robbery occurred around 5:30 pm on January 3, when the accused allegedly threatened jewellery shop owner Mahendra Solanki with sharp weapons and looted gold and silver ornaments. The robbers fled the scene on two-wheelers.
Following the incident, Solanki lodged a complaint with Manjari Police Station, prompting an investigation. CCTV footage from the shop and surrounding areas revealed the suspects had covered their faces with masks.
Based on these clues, the crime branch team, led by Inspector Chhagan Kapse with Assistant Inspectors C D Berad and Madan Kamble, and Sub-Inspectors S J Tanawde and Abhijit Pawar, laid a trap and arrested three accused adults—Pravin Mahadev Shinde (18) of Fursungi, Bhavesh Rajesh Chavan (20) of Hadapsar, and Rajdeep Jagtap (21) of Loni Kalbhor—along with a minor suspect on Sunday evening.
Interrogation led to the identification of two additional minors, who were subsequently taken into custody. Police recovered 224.92 grams of gold and 183 grams of silver from the suspects. The three minors were sent to an observation home, while the adults were booked under Sections 310(2) and 312 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
The investigation is being overseen by Senior Police Inspector Babasaheb Nikam of the Manjari Police Station.
