Pune Crime Branch Busts ‘Tak-Tag Gang’; Two Arrested For Stealing Mobiles By Distracting Drivers At Traffic Signals
Pune Crime Branch Busts ‘Tak-Tag Gang’; Two Arrested For Stealing Mobiles By Distracting Drivers At Traffic Signals
Pune, March 14, 2026: The Pune Crime Branch Unit-1 has busted an interstate ‘Tak-Tak Gang’ involved in stealing mobile phones and valuables from cars by distracting drivers at traffic signals and crowded areas. Two accused have been arrested in connection with the case.
According to police, the gang members would deliberately hit or tap four-wheeler vehicles at signals and create a scene, claiming the car had struck them. While the driver’s attention was diverted, they would forcibly steal mobile phones and other valuables from inside the vehicle.
A case was registered at the Faraskhana Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Senior officers directed the Crime Branch to investigate the case, following which officers began analysing CCTV footage from the area.
During the investigation, police personnel received a tip-off from an informer that the suspects would arrive at a lodge within the jurisdiction of Samarth Police Station. Acting on the information, a team led by Police Inspector Ajit Jadhav laid a trap near the lodge and detained two suspects.
The accused were identified as Ravi Omprakash Kohli (38) and Afzal Kayyum Abbasi (38), both residents of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh. During interrogation, the duo confessed to committing the mobile theft incident within the jurisdiction of Faraskhana Police Station.
Police said the accused also admitted their involvement in several other theft cases in Pune. In one incident within the jurisdiction of Alankar Police Station at Karve Road in Kothrud, they allegedly stole an iPhone 17 Pro and cash from a parked car.
In another case under the jurisdiction of Viman Nagar Police Station, the accused reportedly tricked a Swift car driver at Viman Nagar Chowk by claiming that the vehicle had run over their foot, and stole Samsung and OnePlus mobile phones.
Police investigations have revealed that the accused were involved in similar crimes across the jurisdictions of Faraskhana, Alankar and Viman Nagar police stations in Pune. Both accused have been handed over to Faraskhana Police Station for further legal action.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Amitesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner Ranjankumar Sharma, Additional Commissioner Pankaj Deshmukh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Nikhil Pingale and Assistant Commissioner of Police Shailesh Sankhe. The action was executed by Police Inspector Ajit Jadhav and his team.
