Pune: Thief Disguised as Jain Devotee Arrested for Temple Thefts After Two-Week Probe”
Pune: Thief Disguised as Jain Devotee Arrested for Temple Thefts After Two-Week Probe"
Pune: A thief who posed as a Jain devotee to steal gold ornaments from temples in Pune and surrounding areas was arrested following a two-week investigation by Swargate Police.
The incident came to light when Jai Paresh Parekh, a resident of Citywood Society near Poonawalla Garden, reported the theft of a gold crown and chain from the Jain temple in his home during Kartik Purnima celebrations. Similar theft attempts were reported at 3-4 other Jain temples within Swargate Police limits on the same day.
Key Developments
- CCTV Footage and Leads: The investigation, led by Senior Inspector Yuvraj Nandre, included a detailed analysis of CCTV footage and technical data. A lead suggested similar crimes had been reported in Mumbai and Dombivli, with the suspect residing in Girgaon, Mumbai.
- Suspect Arrested: Acting on this information, a team apprehended Naresh Agarchand Jain, a resident of Bombay Chawl, Girgaon. During interrogation, Jain confessed and disclosed the location of the stolen gold items, valued at ₹4.2 lakh.
- Pattern of Crimes: Further investigation revealed the accused targeted temples in Ghatkopar, Wai, Chikhali, and other locations, using his disguise as a devotee to commit the thefts.
The stolen items have been recovered, and police have appealed to the public to report similar incidents. The case resolution was made possible through the efforts of senior officers, including Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner Ranjankumar Sharma, and the Swargate Police team.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities ensuring the public’s cooperation in addressing similar crimes.
