Pune: The crime branch's anti-robbery and vehicle theft squad has arrested a man for committing burglaries in Kondhwa and Sinhagad Road areas.

The accused has been identified as Tausif Bashir Shaikh (25), a resident of Kasewadi, Bhawani Peth. He was found to have committed four cases of burglary in Kondhwa area and one in Sinhagad Road area.

Ahead of the Assembly elections, the Crime Branch is conducting a drive against absconding accused in MCOCA cases and those carrying illegal weapons. Shaikh was absconding for six months.

Assistant inspectors Pravin Kalukhe and Ravindra Lokhande of the team received information that he had come to Kasewadi area. Accordingly, the police laid a trap and took him into custody.

The action was taken on the instructions of Additional Commissioner of Police Shailesh Balkawade, Deputy Commissioner of Police Nikhil Pingale and Assistant Commissioner Ganesh Ingle, Police Inspector Nandkumar Bidwai, Police Sub-Inspector Shahid Shaikh,

Police Officer Balu Gaikwad, Pradeep Rathod, Dhananjay Tajne, Irfan Pathan, Saikumar Karke, Manisha Pukale and others.