Graduate Serial Bike Thief Arrested in Pune: Used Bus Rides to Steal Motorcycles and Return Home
Graduate Serial Bike Thief Arrested in Pune: Used Bus Rides to Steal Motorcycles and Return Home
An unusual vehicle theft racket operating between Pune and Ahilyanagar has been uncovered after an intensive investigation by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Crime Branch. The accused, an educated man with a graduate degree, reportedly followed a peculiar routine—traveling to Pune by bus, stealing a motorcycle, and riding the stolen vehicle back to his hometown.
Police say the operation has led to the recovery of 40 stolen motorcycles valued at ₹21.66 lakh, while helping investigators crack 34 registered vehicle theft cases across several police station jurisdictions in Pune and neighboring districts.
The main accused has been identified as Ashpak Ishaq Pathan (32), a resident of Pathardi in Ahilyanagar. Despite being a graduate, Pathan allegedly developed a habit of stealing motorcycles and had previously been booked in more than ten theft cases.
Investigators revealed that Pathan specifically targeted Hero Splendor motorcycles, as these bikes are widely used and have strong demand in the resale market. By focusing on a popular model, he could easily find buyers without drawing too much attention.
The investigation began after authorities noticed a rise in two-wheeler thefts in the Bavdhan Police Station jurisdiction. Officers examined footage from more than 70 CCTV cameras installed across the area to trace the suspect’s movements.
Based on technical analysis and inputs from a police informant, the Crime Branch laid a trap and detained Pathan in Balewadi on March 7, 2026. The operation was led by Senior Police Inspector Arvind Pawar and his team.
During questioning, Pathan allegedly confessed to stealing numerous motorcycles, exposing the scale of the theft network.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Mukund Udhavrao Hardas (25), a resident of Partur in Jalna district, who was purchasing the stolen bikes from Pathan. According to police, Pathan often misled potential buyers by claiming the motorcycles had been repossessed by finance companies from owners who failed to pay their EMIs. This story allowed him to sell the bikes at unusually low prices while avoiding suspicion.
With the recovery of 40 motorcycles, police were able to solve 34 theft cases reported across several police stations in the Pune region. These include Bavdhan, Dehu Road, Chikhali, Nigdi, Hinjewadi, Chandan Nagar, Kharadi, Loni Kalbhor, Wagholi, Shikrapur, Kalepadal, Ranjangaon, and Baner.
Investigators also linked the accused to cases registered in other districts, including Ambad (Jalna) and Daithana (Parbhani).
The crackdown was carried out under the supervision of Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sarang Avhad, DCP (Crime) Shivaji Pawar, and ACP (Crime-1) Dr. Vishal Hire. The team included Senior PI Arvind Pawar, API Mayuresh Salunkhe, and officers Devanand Kharat, Pravin Dale, Nitin Dhorje, Tushar Shete, Vikram Kudal, Kunal Shinde, Mohammad Ghaus Nadaf, Vikrant Chavan, Ali Shaikh, Deepak Shirshat, Krishna Shitole, Prashant Said, Sukhdev Gawande, Amar Rane, Dinkar Ade, Ravi Pawar, Dhananjay Jadhav, and Ajit Rupnawar, who played key roles in tracing and recovering the stolen vehicles.
Police believe the accused may have been involved in additional thefts beyond those already solved. Authorities are now examining whether the same network operated in other districts as well. The arrests and large-scale recovery have brought relief to two-wheeler owners in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, where motorcycle thefts had been a growing concern. Officials say the operation highlights how coordinated surveillance, informant networks, and careful analysis of CCTV footage can help dismantle organized theft activities.
