Pune: As Diwali nears, increased activity at sweet shops seems to have caught the attention of thieves, with a recent theft reported at the popular Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale store on Aundh-Baner Road.

Early Sunday (October 27) morning, a thief forced entry into the store, making off with cash totaling ₹1.41 lakh. The thief reportedly broke open the shop’s shutter and cash drawer before fleeing.

The incident came to light when workers arrived Sunday morning to open the store and discovered the damaged shutter.

Upon reviewing CCTV footage, authorities observed the thief in action, although his face was concealed, which complicates identification efforts. Senior Police Inspector Mahesh Balkotgi confirmed that the CCTV footage shows the theft taking place in the early hours.

With the Diwali season bringing a surge in customers for sweets and snacks, Chitale Bandhu’s store saw significant cash intake over the weekend.

The closure of banks on Saturday and Sunday meant that daily collections remained on-site overnight, a situation the thief may have exploited.

Baner Police are currently investigating the incident further, examining the CCTV footage closely in hopes of uncovering more details.

Earlier in September, a sweet shop in Yerawada, Pune, fell victim to burglars who broke into the store, making off with cash and two and a half kilograms of mango barfi.

The incident was reported by Saitansingh Sawaisingh Devda, the shop owner, who filed a complaint at the Yerawada police station. Devda, a resident of Ekta Housing Society on Golf Club Road, runs Narayan Sweet Mart, a popular sweet shop on the same road.