Pune: In a significant breakthrough against motorcycle thefts in the Bhosari, Dighi, and Chikhali areas, the Bhosari police have apprehended a notorious thief, Swapnil Bhagwat Ahire, aged 24, and seized 15 motorcycles valued at ₹3,20,000 from him.

As part of their efforts to combat vehicle theft in the city, a team led by Police Sub-Inspector Balaji Jonapalle conducted thorough investigations at various locations where motorcycle thefts had been reported.

The team meticulously reviewed CCTV footage to identify suspicious activities and established traps to catch thieves in the act.

Under the direction of Senior Police Inspector Vishwanath Chavan, the investigation team deployed several groups to patrol the areas and inspect suspicious vehicles.

During a routine patrol, officers Garołe and Narwade observed a man riding a motorcycle in a suspicious manner.

Upon questioning, the suspect provided vague responses, prompting the officers to call in additional assistance, including Police Sub-Inspector Balaji Jonapalle, to the village fair grounds.

Recognizing Swapnil Bhagwat Ahire as a known criminal, the police conducted a detailed inquiry, which led to his confession. He admitted that he and his accomplice, Babban Haribhau Waghmare, had stolen a total of 15 motorcycles from the Bhosari, Dighi, Chikhali, and Indrayani Nagar areas.

The police have since recovered the stolen motorcycles, which include seven cases registered at the Bhosari police station, one at the Dighi police station, and one each at the Chikhali and Bhosari MIDC police stations. However, the owners of motorcycles from five of the cases have yet to be identified.

Swapnil Bhagwat Ahire is reported to be a habitual motorcycle thief, with previous thefts registered against him in the Pimpri Chinchwad and Nashik city police commissionerates.