Nagpur: Living a life of luxury funded by crime, Rajnikanth Keshav Chanore (24) from Bhandara had a taste for expensive cars, branded clothes, designer watches, and high-end gadgets. However, his spree of high-profile burglaries across multiple states came to an abrupt halt when Nagpur’s Hudkeshwar police finally tracked him down in Bhopal, marking the end of his opulent lifestyle.
Mastermind of wedding heists
Gold Rate
Wednesday12 Feb. 2025
Chanore was no ordinary thief — his modus operandi involved meticulously planned burglaries at wedding venues and affluent homes, ensuring that he struck when families were preoccupied with celebrations. To avoid detection, he would rent flats near his targets, conduct thorough reconnaissance of back alleys, observe household routines, and strategically plan his break-ins.
His strategy was simple yet effective — he would wait for families to leave for wedding functions, usually between 8 and 10 PM, and then strike when the house was left unattended. Unlike petty burglars, Chanore had a refined taste, selecting only cash, gold, expensive clothing, perfumes, and branded accessories. He even used stolen suitcases to carry away his loot, often assisted by an accomplice.
Trail ends in Bhopal
Chanore’s latest heist at Mahatma Gandhi Nagar in Nagpur on December 24 led the police on a relentless pursuit. When CCTV footage from the crime scene yielded little evidence, investigators expanded their search, eventually capturing footage of Chanore fleeing in his car. Tracking him across multiple locations, the police finally apprehended him in Indira Nagar, Bhopal, while he was returning from Prayagraj after a dip in the Sangam during the Maha Kumbh.
Gold, luxury cars, and more seized
Following his arrest, police recovered stolen gold bars from a goldsmith’s shop in Bhandara, along with luxury cars and valuables worth Rs 18 lakh. His accomplice, Pratap Urkude (25), remains at large.
Investigations revealed that Chanore had a long history of thefts, with three cases in Chhattisgarh, three in Chandrapur, and nine in Bhandara, apart from several in Nagpur. His string of high-profile burglaries has now ended, with his flashy attire replaced by a prison uniform.
Crackdown by Nagpur Police
The successful operation was led by PI Dnyaneshwar Bhedokar and a dedicated team of officers including Nageshkumar Chatarkar, Pankajkumar Chakra, Shailesh Thaware, Nandkishore Tayde, Ganesh Bondre, Omprakash Mate, Rajesh Mote, Mukesh Kannake, Rajesh Dhopte, Gaurav Gajbhiye, and Himanshu Patil. Their relentless efforts led to the capture of one of the most elusive burglars in recent history, ensuring justice for the many victims of his extravagant crime spree.
