Pune Rural Police Nab Temple Thiefs Involved In 11 Thefts
Pune Rural Police Nab Temple Thiefs Involved In 11 Thefts
In a dramatic turn of events, Pune Rural Police have managed to apprehend a notorious serial temple thief responsible for a string of thefts across the district. The arrest of Vinayak Damu Jeete, a resident of Kanhur Mesai in Shirur, comes after a series of brazen burglaries that targeted temples and churches in rural Pune.
Jeete, who was captured on July 2, 2024, following a complaint from Ramchandra Kishan, has been linked to eleven separate thefts spanning areas including Ambegaon, Shirur, Shikapur, Ranjangaon, and Khed. The investigation started with the police scrutinizing CCTV footage from various crime scenes and surrounding areas. Through a meticulous analysis of these recordings, Jeete was identified as the prime suspect in the thefts.
Acting on a tip-off that Jeete was heading to Shikrapur, the police intercepted him in the area. Despite his initial attempts to evade questioning, Jeete eventually confessed to his involvement in the thefts. He admitted to robbing several temples, including Bhairavnath Jogeshwari Temple in Shingwe, Devi Temple in Lakhan village, Hanuman Temple in Mandalevadi, Bolhai Mata Temple in Jarkarwadi, and others. His criminal activities also extended to ShriNath Maskoba Temple in Rautwadi, Wadjai Mata Temple in Kavatemala, Kanhersar Yemai Temple in Khed Rajgurunagar, Kalubai Temple in Savindane, Tukai Mata Devi Temple in Ranjangaon Phundvasti, Khandoba Temple in Ghodegaon Shindewadi, Kalammajai Temple, and even two temples in Ahmednagar district.
Pankaj Deshmukh, Superintendent of Pune Rural Police, revealed that Jeete has a criminal history involving thefts and robbery. “Jeete was previously incarcerated until February and committed these eleven thefts between February and June,” Deshmukh said. The police have seized valuables worth ₹4 lakh from Jeete’s possession and are continuing their investigation into his activities.
Deshmukh explained that Jeete’s method involved scouting potential targets 2-3 days before the thefts and storing the stolen items at his residence. Some of these items were sold in the market, with Jeete reportedly telling shop owners that the goods were gifts for his mother, who he claimed worked at various temples.
The successful resolution of these cases and the recovery of stolen property have been attributed to the diligent efforts of the investigating officers. The arrest has resolved cases registered at Pargaon Karkhana (three cases), and at Ghodegaon, Khed, Shirur, Ranjangaon, Supa, Nagar MIDC Police Stations, and Shikrapur (one case each), with two cases at Shikrapur.
This operation was carried out under the leadership of Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh, Additional Superintendent of Police Ramesh Chopade, Khed Sub-Divisional Police Officer Amol Mandave, and Police Inspector Avinash Shilimkar from the Local Crime Branch (LCB). The team included Assistant Police Inspector Netaji Gandhare, Police Sub-Inspector Bhausaheb Lekare, and Police Constables Amol Wadekar, Avinash Kalekar, Dattatraya Jadhar, Devanand Kirve, Ajit Madake, Shantaram Sangade, Ramesh Ichake, Sanjay Salve, Mangesh Abhang, Chandrakant Gavhane, Navnath Rakshe, Gajanan Dake, Omnath Tumkute, and Rajesh Utale from Pargaon Karkhana Police Station, as well as Police Constables Vikram Tapkir, Nilesh Supekar, and Mangesh Thigale from the LCB. Additionally, Police Mitra Rambhau Walunj and Lakhangaon Police Patil Kalpana Borhade provided valuable assistance in the operation.
