Pune Police’s Detection Branch (DB) of Airport Police Station has arrested two youths, Manish Singh Jitendra Singh Bhadoria and Kartik Anil Phulpagar, both 21 years old and residents of Lohgaon, for stealing motorcycles across Pune “just for fun.” The police recovered 10 stolen motorcycles valued at around ₹7 lakh from the accused, who were caught red-handed in Sanjay Park with a stolen Royal Enfield Bullet.
The operation was launched following a tip-off from a confidential informant. Under the guidance of API Vijay Chandan, police officers including Dadasaheb Barde and Gyandev Awari laid a trap and apprehended the duo. Initial investigations revealed that the accused did not steal the bikes for resale or financial gain but confessed to doing it purely for enjoyment.
Of the 10 stolen motorcycles recovered, seven thefts were reported within the Airport Police Station limits, one from the Kothrud Police Station area, and two others are still under investigation to determine their origins. The recovered motorcycles collectively are worth approximately ₹7 lakh.
Senior police officials including Additional Commissioner of Police (East Region) Manoj Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 4) Himmat Jadhav, ACP Pranjali Sonawane, and Police Inspector Ashalata Khapre supervised the operation. The detection team comprised several officers who played key roles in the successful arrest.
The accused remain in police custody as investigations continue to ascertain if they are linked to other vehicle theft cases in Pune or nearby areas. Authorities have urged vehicle owners to promptly report missing motorcycles and verify if their vehicles are among those recovered.
