Pune, 13 November 2025: The Airport Police have arrested a gang that looted closed apartments during the Diwali holidays. The police seized valuables more than ₹14 lakh, including gold, silver ornaments, cash, and a motorcycle used in the thefts. The arrests helped solve eight burglary cases reported in the city.
The accused have been identified as Shivam Datta Avchar (19), a resident of Narhe, and Navanath alias Lakhan Balu Mohite (22), from Vaidhuwadi, Hadapsar. A 16-year-old minor from Parvati has also been detained. Police said the accused were habitual offenders who frequently changed their locations to evade arrest. They were caught after a planned operation based on technical analysis and confidential intelligence.
According to police, the case came to light when thieves broke the lock of a house in the Viman Nagar area and stole gold, silver ornaments, and cash worth ₹10.5 lakh. Acting on the complaint, a police team led by constables Yogesh Thopte, Dnyandev Aware, Lalu Karhe, and Hariprasad Punde examined over 250 CCTV footage clips from the vicinity. The analysis led to the identification and arrest of the culprits.
During the operation, police recovered about ₹10 lakh worth of gold jewellery and the motorcycle used in the crimes. Further investigation revealed that the gang had committed at least seven burglaries during the Diwali period. The total recovered property is valued at approximately ₹14 lakh.
This successful operation was carried out under the guidance of Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil, Deputy Commissioner Somay Munde, and Assistant Commissioner Pranjali Sonawane, with the team led by Senior Inspector Govind Jadhav, Inspector (Crime) Sharad Shelke, and Sub-Inspectors Manoj Barure and Nitin Rathod.
