Pimpri Chinchwad Police Successfully Thwart ATM Robbery Attempt After Thrilling Chase Through Chakan Streets Last Night

Reported By Varad Bhatkhande

Chakan, 19th October 2024: Pimpri Chinchwad Police thwarted a robbery attempt by stopping thieves who had broken into an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) after a thrilling chase. The police received a call during the robbery, and when they attempted to pursue the thieves, the robbers collided with the police in an attempt to escape. Although the thieves managed to flee in the dark, the police succeeded in preventing the robbery. This action was taken by the Mahalunge MIDC Police Station, part of the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissionerate (PCPC). Despite the crime occurring outside their jurisdiction, Mahalunge MIDC Police are being praised for their swift response.

The police seized cash worth Rs 10.52 lakh and the tools used to break into the ATM. A case has been registered against the thieves at Chakan Police Station.

According to information provided by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 3), Dr Shivaji Pawar, the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Chief had instructed the Mahalunge MIDC and Chakan Police Stations to prevent crimes in these industrial areas ahead of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections. While on routine night patrol, the Mahalunge MIDC Police Station received information around midnight about an attempted robbery at a Hitachi Company ATM. Upon arriving at the scene, they found the ATM broken into and received a tip-off that the suspects were fleeing in a Mahindra Scorpio.

Police constables Birajdar and Mate, in a government vehicle, spotted the Scorpio parked by the roadside. As they approached, the driver accelerated and collided with their vehicle before fleeing. The constables quickly informed their superiors, leading to the dispatch of teams across the area. The thieves, seeing the police blockades, repeatedly changed their route. Eventually, they abandoned the car in a small lane and about six suspects fled into the darkness. However, they were unable to escape with the stolen goods, thanks to the police’s swift action.

A case has been registered with Chakan Police Station, as the crime took place within its jurisdiction. Assistant Police Inspector Dhaygude is leading the investigation.

DCP Dr. Shivaji Pawar told Punekar News, “There were around 5-6 thieves who escaped under the cover of night. However, we are actively searching for them. We have begun analyzing CCTV footage and are looking for clues from the seized items.”

This operation was conducted under the guidance of Pimpri Chinchwad Commissioner of Police Vinoy Kumar Choubey, Joint Commissioner of Police Dr Shashikant Mahavarkar, Additional Commissioner of Police Vasant Pardeshi, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Doiphode, Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr. Shivaji Pawar, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Chakan Division) Rajendra Singh Gaur, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime 2) Balasaheb Kopner. The team, led by Senior Police Inspector Nitin Gite, included Police Sub-Inspectors Jitendra Pardeshi and Dattatraya Jadhav, as well as Police Constables Santosh Holkar, Yuvraj Birajdar, Ashok Shelke, Pappu Lokhande, Ashok Gabhale, Vishwas Patil, Prakash Chaphale, Santosh Kale, Shivaji Lokhande, Ganesh Gaikwad, Amol Mate, Tejas Khandekar, and Ramhari Shinde.

Mahalunge MIDC Police Break Jurisdiction Barriers in Bold Operation

There are criticisms toward the police administration over jurisdiction, often focusing on slow coordination, which leads to delays in resolving cases. Allegations of negligence due to not being part of a particular police station’s jurisdiction, particularly in high-profile investigations, have raised concerns. However, the Mahalunge MIDC police broke barriers by handling a case through a call to the PCPC control room, even though it was not in their jurisdiction. The officials went the extra mile, not only being on the spot but also chasing the accused down. The Mahalunge MIDC police were involved in a brave chase, and DCP Shivaji Pawar congratulated them on this remarkable operation.