Pune: The Swargate Police have uncovered a mobile theft racket operating in the city. The operation led to the seizure of 43 stolen mobile phones and a laptop used for software tampering, with a total value of ₹7.45 lakh, from a shop in Kondhwa.

The investigation began when a suspicious individual, identified as Satish Dnyaneshwar Shirole (32), was apprehended near the PMPML bus stop in Swargate on January 22. Upon searching him, police found three stolen mobile phones in his possession. Further questioning revealed that Shirole had stolen one of the phones from a woman boarding a bus the previous month.

During interrogation, Shirole disclosed that he had been selling stolen mobile phones to Mohammad Shahid Ilyas Ansari (34), the owner of Hasna Enterprises Mobile Shop in Kondhwa.

Acting on this information, the police raided Ansari’s shop and recovered 40 stolen mobile phones. It was discovered that Ansari had been purchasing stolen phones from thieves across the city, unlocking them, tampering with their software, and reselling them.

A Larger Racket Unveiled

The investigation has revealed that stolen mobile phones are being transported to other states through a larger network. The racket sheds light on the organized handling of stolen phones, which are unlocked and made ready for resale.

Offender’s History

Shirole, a known offender with six theft cases registered against him, was instrumental in leading the police to this racket. The case highlights the need for increased vigilance against mobile theft in crowded areas like bus stops and public spaces.

This operation was carried out under the leadership of Additional Commissioner of Police Praveenkumar Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police Smartana Patil, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Rahul Aware. The investigation team, led by Senior Inspector Yuvraj Nandre, included officers Rahul Kolambikar, Ravindra Kasapte, Ashruba Morale, Sachin Tanpure, Sujay Pawar, Deepak Khendad, Harshal Shinde, Firoz Sheikh, Hanumant Dudhe, Ramesh Chavan, Prashant Tonpe, and Sandeep Ghule.