Nagpur: In a major breakthrough against vehicle thefts in Nagpur, the Crime Branch Unit-4 has busted an alleged two-member gang involving a 20-year-old habitual offender and a minor boy, recovering four stolen two-wheelers worth approximately Rs 3.20 lakh. The accused have allegedly confessed to stealing vehicles in four separate incidents across Hudkeshwar, Ajni and Tehsil police station jurisdictions, exposing a wider trail of motorcycle thefts.
The breakthrough came during a crime detection operation when Crime Branch personnel received specific intelligence that two youths were roaming suspiciously with a stolen vehicle near the KDK College playground. Acting swiftly, the team reached the spot and spotted two boys matching the description provided by the informer.
However, on noticing the police, both suspects attempted to flee. The personnel chased them down and detained them for questioning.
During verification in the presence of independent witnesses, the adult accused was identified as Ashish alias Pranit alias Raftaar Shailesh Waghmare (20), a resident of Lumbini Nagar, Kadbi Chowk, Jaripatka. The second suspect was found to be a minor boy in conflict with law.
One stolen Activa leads police to four vehicles
During interrogation, the duo allegedly admitted that the Honda Activa they were using had been stolen in a vehicle theft case registered at Hudkeshwar police station.
The investigation took a significant turn when sustained questioning allegedly led to their confession about involvement in three other vehicle thefts. According to police, the accused disclosed that they had jointly committed four thefts, including one each in the Hudkeshwar, Ajni and Tehsil police station areas, apart from the original case.
The suspects further revealed that the stolen two-wheelers had been concealed inside the KDK College premises and covered with tarpaulin in an attempt to keep them hidden from public view and evade detection.
Following this disclosure, the Crime Branch team recovered four stolen vehicles from the indicated location.
Four stolen two-wheelers worth Rs 3.20 lakh seized
The recovered vehicles include:
1. Honda Activa – MH-32-AZ-3093
2. Hero Honda Splendor – MH-31-AZ-8422
3. Hero Honda Splendor – MH-31-FT-5429
4. TVS Apache – MH-49-BY-7640
The total value of the recovered vehicles has been estimated at Rs 3.20 lakh.
The case originated on October 28, when complainant Pranjal Akshay Warkhade (24), a resident of Vigyan Nagar near Rustomjee Heights on Manewada Road, had parked his Honda Activa, valued at Rs 80,000, outside his residence after locking it. When he returned, the vehicle had disappeared. Following his complaint, Hudkeshwar police registered a case against an unidentified accused under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Crime Branch uncovers wider theft trail
The recovery of four vehicles in one operation has provided investigators with an important lead in tracing the network of two-wheeler thefts in Nagpur. The alleged concealment of stolen vehicles within the KDK College premises also raises questions about how the suspects managed to use the location to hide their loot.
The adult accused and the minor boy, along with the recovered vehicles, were handed over to Hudkeshwar police for further legal action.
Further investigation is underway to verify their alleged involvement in other theft cases and establish whether additional stolen vehicles can be recovered.
