Chikki Vendor Robbed at Gunpoint in Lonavala; CCTV Footage Sparks Fear Among Traders
Chikki Vendor Robbed at Gunpoint in Lonavala; CCTV Footage Sparks Fear Among Traders
In a shocking incident that has alarmed the business community in Lonavala, a chikki vendor was robbed at gunpoint in the early hours of Sunday. The robbery occurred around 5:15 AM at Gavli Wada, along the Old Pune-Mumbai Highway, and was caught on CCTV.
According to police, three unidentified assailants targeted the vendor just as he was opening his shop—typical for weekends when tourist footfall surges in Lonavala. Two of the men, their faces partially covered with handkerchiefs, entered the shop and launched a sudden assault on the vendor.
Surveillance footage shows the vendor being grabbed, punched repeatedly on the face and ears, and threatened with a pistol by one of the attackers while the others looted cash from the drawer. The trio fled the scene within minutes, leaving the injured vendor behind.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local trading community, which is now demanding increased police presence—especially during peak tourist hours on weekends.
“This is not just about money—it’s about our safety,” said a worried shopkeeper nearby. “If criminals can get away with this so easily, how can we or our customers feel secure?”
Lonavala Police have launched an investigation and are analyzing CCTV footage from surrounding areas. Officials are also gathering eyewitness statements and working to identify the suspects using the visuals captured during the robbery.
Local traders, meanwhile, are calling for round-the-clock patrolling and early-morning police presence, particularly on weekends when many shops open before dawn to serve the tourist rush.
