Nagpur: In a stroke of luck, an unpaid traffic challan helped the Nagpur Crime Branch uncover an interstate gold chain-snatching racket, leading to the resolution of seven cases and the recovery of significant stolen valuables worth over Rs 6 lakh. The breakthrough occurred when officers traced gang member Nitesh Puroshattamwar through a scooter registered to his girlfriend, which had an outstanding traffic violation.
The Crime Branch team, led by Sub-Inspectors Anil Ingoley and Rahul Rote under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rahul Maknikar, apprehended Puroshattamwar along with three other gang members: Nehal Malik, Avi Meshram, and Mahesh Iraskar. The gang was involved in a series of gold chain-snatching incidents and disposed of the stolen goods through contacts in Odisha.
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Over a 45-day period, the gang admitted to committing multiple snatchings in areas under the jurisdictions of MIDC, Sadar, Ranapratap Nagar, Ajni, Sitabuldi, Sakkardara, and Nandanvan police stations. Substantial amounts of stolen gold were recovered from their contacts in Odisha.
The investigation gained momentum after two chain-snatching incidents were reported back-to-back in the MIDC area. Reviewing CCTV footage, officers identified the number plate of a scooter used in the crime, which led them to Puroshattamwar’s girlfriend, the registered owner of the vehicle. Her statement provided crucial information that led to the arrest of Puroshattamwar and his accomplices.
During the operation, the police seized a Hero Destiny moped (MH40/CN-6014), a TVS Jupiter scooter (MH-49/CG-7346), two cell phones, and 5.8 tolas of gold worth approximately Rs 6 lakh. The gold was linked to several snatching incidents, including a recent robbery of a gold chain worth Rs 1 lakh from 55-year-old Kapila Karan Ramteke, who was targeted while walking in Ashtavinayak Nagar, Jaitala on September 7.
The arrests were made following a tip-off to Crime Branch Unit-5 about the gang’s activities, resulting in the dismantling of their operation and recovery of the stolen goods.
