Pune News: Pimpri-Chinchwad Crime Branch Arrests Notorious Housebreaking Suspect; Stolen Gold Worth ₹7 Lakh Recovered
Pune News: Pimpri-Chinchwad Crime Branch Arrests Notorious Housebreaking Suspect; Stolen Gold Worth ₹7 Lakh Recovered ( representative Image )
Pimpri-Chinchwad, November 19, 2025: In a major breakthrough, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Crime Branch Unit 1 has arrested a habitual housebreaking offender and recovered stolen gold ornaments worth ₹7 lakh. The action comes under the special directive of Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey to curb rising incidents of house thefts in the city.
Under the guidance of Crime Branch DCP Dr. Shivaji Pawar and ACP Dr. Vishal Hire, a team led by Senior Police Inspector Narendra Thackeray had been analysing a series of break-in cases and tracking suspected offenders.
On November 16, 2025, while patrolling the Nigdi-Pradhikaran area, PSI Shivanand Swami and Police Constable Deva Raut received a tip-off from an informant about a suspect attempting to sell stolen gold ornaments. Acting swiftly, the team set up a trap. The suspect, attempting to flee on noticing the police, was chased and caught by officers PSI Karmaraj Gavade, PSI Swami, and constables Raut and Shivram Bhope.
The accused has been identified as Dhananjay Harish Kale (29), rickshaw driver, resident of Ganeshnagar, Pimple Gurav. During interrogation, Kale confessed that he, along with two accomplices Chandrakant Ananta Mane of Ajintha Nagar, and Sunil Malhari Talware of Kalewadi had committed housebreakings in Pimple Gurav’s Prabhatnagar and Bhimshakti Nagar, Nigdi.
Police seized approximately six tolas of gold jewellery valued at around ₹7 lakh. The accused has a long criminal history, with involvement in 50 to 60 theft cases across Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune city and other locations in Maharashtra.
Police have warned that such habitual offenders specifically target homes left locked for long periods. Citizens are urged to take extra precautions with gold, cash and valuables while travelling out of town.
The arrested accused has been handed over to Sangvi Police Station for further investigation.
