Pune: The Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Pune Rural Police has successfully arrested a seasoned interstate burglar involved in a high-profile burglary in Shripatinagar, Bhor. The team recovered stolen property worth ₹16.58 lakh, including 8.5 tolas of gold ornaments, 2 kilograms of silver utensils, and cash.

The incident occurred on the night of January 13, when four locked houses in Shripatinagar were broken into by the burglar. The theft, which involved gold and silver ornaments and cash, was initially valued at ₹26.35 lakh. Following the complaint filed by Madhav Damodar Purohit (64), a resident of Shripatinagar, the LCB launched a detailed investigation.

The accused, identified as Lakhan Ashok Kulkarni alias Sachin Raju Mane (31), is a resident of Mangalwedha, Solapur district. A seasoned offender, he has over 50 cases of burglary registered against him in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat. He had previously served a seven-year prison term in Karnataka for theft-related offenses.

The LCB team, under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh, meticulously analyzed CCTV footage from roads leading to the crime scene. Footage revealed a single suspect loitering in the Shripatinagar area six to seven hours before the crime. This confirmed his involvement.

On January 24, based on a tip-off, the team intercepted the accused near Sasewadi on the Pune-Satara Road. Upon interrogation, the accused confessed to the crime. He disclosed that he used a Hyundai Elantra car during the burglary, which has also been seized along with the stolen property.

The operation was conducted under the guidance of SP Pankaj Deshmukh, Additional SP Ganesh Biradar, and Sub-Divisional Police Officer Tanaji Barde. The investigating team was led by PI Avinash Shilimkar, included officers Annasaheb Pawar, API Dattajirao Mohite, and others.