Pune Police Bust Mobile Theft Gang in Swargate, Seize 120 Phones and 3 Laptops
Swargate, July 1, 2024: Pune Police have successfully apprehended a national-level gang involved in the theft of mobile phones and laptops in the Swargate Bus Stand area. As a result of their efforts, the police have seized 120 mobile phones and three laptops, valued at approximately Rs 13 lakh. Multiple cases have been registered against the gang members.
The Detection Branch (DB) of Swargate Police Station executed this operation under the guidance of their superiors. The Swargate Police arrested Imran Taj Shaikh (31, resident of Kondhwa), Usama Shafiq Shaikh (22, resident of Hadapsar), Aabid Mukim Patel (23, resident of Mumbai), and Akhtar Ali Rabiyal Khan (34, resident of Mumbai). They have been charged under IPC Sections 379 (theft) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).
According to police reports, several theft incidents occurred near the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) Stand and Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) under the jurisdiction of Swargate Police Station, leading to the registration of cases. During patrols and following technical investigations, the Detection Branch received information from a confidential source about a suspicious individual in the Swargate area. Acting on this tip-off, they set a trap and detained Imran Shaikh. Upon interrogation, Imran admitted to having sold approximately 150 stolen phones to Usama Shaikh. Investigations further revealed that around 10 cases were registered against Imran.
Continuing their interrogation and extending their investigation to Mumbai, the DB arrested Aabid and Akhtar. In total, they seized 120 mobile phones, three laptops, and three other devices from the suspects, valued at Rs 12 lakh.
This operation was conducted under the guidance of Pune City Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Police Pravin Pawar, Additional Commissioner of Police (West) Pravin Kumar Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2) Smartana Patil, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Swargate Division) Nanda Paraje. The operation was executed by Senior Police Inspector Dilip Phulpagare, Police Inspector (Crime) Gita Bagwade, Assistant Police Inspector Prashant Shinde, Police Sub Inspector Ashok Yewale, and Police Constables Harshal Shinde, Firoz Shaikh, Sujay Pawar, Sandip Ghule, Deepak Khendad, Anis Shaikh, Shiva Gaikwad, Ramesh Chavan, and Pravin Godase.
