Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
A wave of robberies continues to grip the city, with three shocking incidents reported on January 2. Thieves on a high-speed Yamaha R15 sports bike targeted unsuspecting pedestrians, snatching phones and cash and leaving the police scrambling for answers. A case has been registered at Jawharnagar police station on Friday.
In the most chilling incident, Ajay Raju Ghorpade, a resident of Phulenagar, was held at knifepoint near Devgiri College around 11 pm. “They came from behind, stopped me and pressed a knife to my neck. Before I could react, they took my phone and Rs 500 cash,” said Ghorpade. The thieves fled into the night before anyone could intervene.
Earlier that evening, Sachin Nirantar, a college student, fell victim near Sootgirni Chowk while talking on his phone at 9.30 pm. “They snatched my phone and disappeared so quickly that I couldn’t even see their faces,” said Nirantar. A third victim, Akshay Ashok Shinde, was robbed at 11 pm while walking near Kranti Chowk. The thieves snatched his phone and sped away toward Paithan Gate.
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1 bike, 3 crimes
Police suspect the same Yamaha R15 sports bike was used in all three robberies. CCTV footage shows the culprits wearing hoodies to conceal their identities.
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Rising crime, dwindling safety
The incidents highlight the city’s rising crime rate, with 194 robberies reported in 2024. “We are seeing a surge in phone-snatching gangs, some even resorting to violence when they don’t find easy targets,” said a police official on condition of anonymity. Citizens are demanding stricter patrolling and quicker action. Until then, the streets of Sambhajinagar remain a playground for daring thieves on wheels.