Pune: With lockdown relaxations kicking in, crime in the city has also seen an uptick. Two unidentified persons - wearing mask, gloves, cap and raincoat - broke into nine shops at Parihar chowk in Aundh and Baner road area and decamped with Rs 27,500 cash and several other items - worth Rs 54,500 in total - from the shops.

Ramesh Chaudhari (34), a resident of Rishabh Apartment in Greenpark Society in Aundh has filed a complaint in this regard against two unknown persons at the Chatuhshrungi police station.

According to police, Chaudhari owns and runs a Kirana shop at the Parihar chowk. He had closed the shop on the night of June 6 at around 9 pm. Two unidentified men who came on a bike broke into the shop at around midnight and stole Rs 27,500 in cash. These two suspects later struck other shops including Go Colours, Sunshine Hosiery, Allen Solly, Shoes Express, Poonam Collection, Asian Paints, Baskin Robbins and Gokul Sweets.

Shop owners came to know of the theft next morning of June 7 and they informed the police. Police have obtained CCTV footage from cameras installed outside commercial establishments at the Parihar chowk.  Police Sub-Inspector MA Jadhav is investigating the case further.