Pune: The Shivajinagar police have arrested Harshad Gulab Pawar (31), a notorious burglar, who was involved in 51 housebreaking cases across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The police have already solved 13 recent cases, recovering gold and silver ornaments worth ₹17 lakh, along with burglary tools.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sandeep Singh Gill, Shivajinagar police team received a tip-off that a suspect involved in multiple house burglaries was spotted at the Mahsoba Gate bus stop in Shivajinagar. Acting swiftly, a team led by Senior Inspector Chandrashekhar Sawant laid a trap and arrested Pawar.
Upon searching his bag, officers discovered 236 grams of gold jewelry, 212 grams of silver, and burglary equipment. During interrogation, Pawar admitted to committing 13 housebreakings in various parts of the city, including:
Three cases each in Shivajinagar and Warje Malwadi
Two cases each in Khadak and the Airport area
One case each in Chandan Nagar, Bavdhan, and Alandi
How Pawar Evaded Detection
Investigations revealed that Harshad Pawar had over 51 burglary cases before 2023. After securing bail in 2023, he resumed his criminal activities, carefully avoiding detection.
He conducted reconnaissance of neighborhoods before burglaries.
He made sure he was not visible on CCTV cameras.
He changed his appearance by wearing different jackets and caps.
He used the help of an accomplice, Nilkanth Raut, to sell stolen gold and silver jewelry.
The police also recovered 49 duplicate keys and burglary tools from him.
He targeted houses during the daytime, except on public holidays.