10 cases of bag snatching reported in two months

PUNE: Motorcycle-borne bag snatchers continue to be on the prowl in different parts of the city as nearly 10 such cases were reported in last two months in the city. A similar incident took place near Mahesh Society in Bibvewadi on Sunday evening. 

A 37-year-old woman who was riding pillion on a two-wheeler with her daughter was targeted by a motorcycle-borne bag snatcher. 

As per a complaint lodged by the woman at Bibvewadi police station, the bag snatcher came close to the woman and snatched the bag from her daughter before fleeing from the spot. The victim complained that the bag contained Rs 15,000 cash and other items. A case of robbery was lodged against an unidentified person.

In a similar incident on the Pune-Nashik highway, two motorcycle-borne bag snatchers targeted a couple who were travelling in an autorickshaw. The snatchers were on a bike and while passing from the Pune-Nashik Road, one of the riders snatched the bag containing ornaments from the couple and fled from the location along with the bag. The complainant, Bhagwan Gadekar, then lodged a case with Bhosari police station. Officials of the Bhosari police said that there were goods worth Rs 1.06 lakh in the bag.

According to the police, such incidents have taken place under the jurisdiction of Alankar, Swargate, Warje and other police stations. Officials from the city police crime branch are working on the case and are trying to figure out the involvement of a single gang or different gangs in all such cases.

The police said that as women are avoiding wearing ornaments due to cases of chain snatching, they are keeping the ornaments in their purse which the robbers are aware of. In some cases, the victims have lost their mangalsutra as they had kept it in their bag. The police have appealed to people to be alert in case they are being stalked.

Police Inspector J Jadhav of Bibvewadi police station said that a minor boy was detained in the case. “The minor will appear for his Std X exams this year. He was in need of money and hence, thought of committing the crime. He is not on police records,” added Jadhav.

KEEP IT SAFE
- The police said that as women are avoiding wearing ornaments due to cases of chain snatching, they are keeping the ornaments in their purse which the robbers are aware of.
- According to the police, such incidents have taken place under the jurisdiction of Alankar, Swargate, Warje and other police stations.