Uttam Nagar police have busted an inter-district motorcycle theft gang, recovering 20 stolen two-wheelers valued at Rs15 lakh, officials said on Thursday. Four persons, including a 17-year-old minor, have been apprehended in connection with the case.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone III) Sambhaji Patil stated that the gang operated systematically across multiple police jurisdictions in Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and Pune rural, using fake number plates to avoid detection. Police investigations have so far identified 14 cases, with further inquiries underway to trace additional offences and potential receivers of the stolen motorcycles.
The case came to light after Rishikesh Rajendra Sakpal, 35, a resident of More Residency, Uttam Nagar, reported that his Hero Honda Splendor motorcycle, valued at Rs50,000, was stolen from his parking area between 8:30 pm on February 18 and 9 am on February 19. An FIR was registered under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
During routine naka bandi operations in Uttam Nagar, police intercepted a motorcycle without a number plate. The rider, Gaurav Raju Thapa, 17, of Kopre village, could not provide satisfactory answers and later allegedly confessed to the theft. Verification via the RTO app linked the motorcycle to crime number 17/2026 at Uttam Nagar police station.
Further investigation led to the arrest of:
Mahesh Hanumant Singh Rajput, 23, apprehended from Sinhagad Road with another stolen motorcycle (MH-24 BP-2790).
Sachin Yashwant Chate, 20, resident of Ahire Gate, Uttam Nagar.
Police said the gang confessed to stealing motorcycles from 2024 until February 19, 2026, across multiple police jurisdictions, including Uttam Nagar, Kothrud, Warje, Bharati Vidyapeeth, Sinhagad Road, Nanded City, Rajgad, and Bavdhan.
According to authorities, the gang targeted parked motorcycles in residential complexes and public areas, replaced original number plates with fabricated ones, used the bikes for personal transport, and then attempted to sell or abandon them.
So far, 20 motorcycles worth ₹15 lakh have been recovered. Police have invoked additional charges under Sections 318(4), 338, 336(3), 340(2), and 3(5) of the BNS, and further recoveries are expected as interrogations continue.
