Police appear helpless as crime surges;

House break-in at Mayur Park; gold worth 8 tolas and cash stolen within an hour

Three women robbed in the city; armed robbery in Waluj after threatening a girl with a knife

Questions raised over functioning of senior police officials

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

A sharp rise in robberies, house break-ins and two-wheeler thefts has left citizens alarmed, as criminals appear to be operating fearlessly. In the past 48 hours, multiple incidents of burglaries, armed robberies and chain-snatching across the city have created panic. Despite crimes occurring in busy areas, both local police and the crime branch seem ineffective, raising serious concerns over the functioning of senior officials.

In Mayur Park, computer businessman Vilas Gadhe (56) had gone out with his family on April 12. Around 2:30 pm, his son Vipul found the house broken into. Thieves broke the locker and stole foreign currency worth Rs 18,600, Rs 25,000 cash, gold and silver ornaments weighing about 8 tolas, and important bank documents. Harsul police inspector Swati Kedar and sub-inspector Sachin Pagote visited the spot.

Thefts at hostel and construction site

In Garkheda’s Bhagat Singh Nagar, construction material worth Rs 41,000 was stolen. At Deogiri College girls’ hostel, thieves entered and stole students’ mobile phones.

Chain-snatching incidents continue

— Retired teacher Sharda Uttarwar lost a 13-gram gold chain in a crowd at Tapadiya Natyamandir on April 12.

– Anita Gholap was robbed of a 13-gram gold chain by a bike-borne snatcher late at night in Bajrang Nagar.

— At a fair in Ghane gaon on April 13, thieves stole a mangalsutra from the wife of Krishna Gayake.

Armed robbery in Waluj

In Mandwa village under Waluj police limits, a family was robbed at knifepoint. Shant Ingle was threatened outside his house, while another accused held a knife to his young daughter inside. Fearing for her safety, the family handed over valuables. The robbers fled with gold ornaments (about 2 tolas) and Rs 2.5 lakh cash. Waluj police are investigating.

No accountability

Despite a surge in chain-snatching and burglaries in areas like Jawaharnagar, Satara, Pundliknagar, Mukundwadi and Waluj MIDC, police have failed to solve these cases. There is also criticism that senior officers have not taken adequate review, leading to laxity among lower ranks.