Panvel Police Crack Down on Highway Robbery Gang on Mumbai Pune expresswayÂ
In a remarkable operation, Panvel taluka police have apprehended five members of a notorious robbery gang that terrorized truck drivers on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. The gang, known for threatening drivers with knives and beating them, targeted Gendlal Patel, a truck driver, on September 9.
On that night, Patel stopped for a break near Palaspe police post when 7-8 robbers assaulted and robbed him of Rs 23,000 and two mobile phones. With no eyewitnesses, police relied on technical and confidential information to track down the culprits.
Under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police Prashant Mohite, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ashok Rajput, and Senior Police Inspector Anil Patil, the police team traced a stolen mobile phone to Nimbodevadi in Khalapur. Disguising themselves, officers Jagdish Shelkar, Anuruddha Gije, and others conducted a two-day stakeout in Nimbodevadi village.
Their efforts paid off as they arrested five suspects: Rohan Naik (24), Rohidas Pawar (23), Atesh Waghmare (26), Manish Waghmare (35), and Shankar Waghmare (18). The court has remanded the accused to police custody until September 20.
Further investigation revealed that eight accused were involved in the robbery, leading to charges against the arrested five. Notably, Rohan Naik, a repeat offender, has prior convictions for forcible theft and robbery in Panvel taluka and Khalapur.
The police have seized five mobile phones and cash worth Rs 50,000 from the accused. Three remaining suspects are still at large and being pursued by the police.