‘Temple Thief’ Who Wore Monkey Mask and Underwear as Disguises Finally Caught
'Temple Thief' Who Wore Monkey Mask and Underwear as Disguises Finally Caught
Pune Rural Police arrest a thief responsible for 11 temple thefts, who used unusual disguises, including a monkey mask and underwear.
A thief notorious for his unusual disguises, including a monkey mask and underwear, has been arrested by Pune Rural Police. The suspect, Vinayak Damu Jite, 32, is believed to be behind 11 temple thefts in rural Pune and Ahmednagar districts between February and July this year.
Pune Rural Police had been investigating a series of back-to-back thefts in temples located in Ambegaon, Shirur, Shikrapur, Ranjangaon and Khed. The stolen items included gold and silver ornaments from temple sanctums, cash from donation boxes, heavy brass lamps, bells and music systems.
Superintendent of Police for Pune Rural noted, “Although the monetary value of the stolen items was not very high, these cases were highly sensitive due to the deep emotional significance these temples have for the local community.”
The investigation revealed that Jite, a resident of Kanhur Mesai in Shirur, had learned various theft techniques during a prior imprisonment for armed robbery. He was released from prison in February and subsequently began his spree of temple thefts. Security camera footage and information from confidential informants helped police identify Jite as the suspect.
Jite was arrested on July 31 by a team from Pargaon Karkhana police station. Further investigation disclosed that he had been involved in 11 temple thefts, nine in Pune Rural and two in Ahmednagar district. Jite used different disguises for each theft. He sometimes stole, wearing a monkey mask. At other times he just wore underwear and a cloth covering his face.
During his thefts, Jite conducted reconnaissance of the temples during the day and struck in the early hours. He stole anything that could be sold, including gold and silver valuables, heavy brass lamps, bells, cash from donation boxes and amplifiers from music systems. Police have recovered items worth Rs four lakh from him.
An officer involved in the investigation said, “We are appealing to temples across villages and towns in Pune Rural jurisdiction to install CCTV cameras on their premises and ensure that areas where valuables are kept, as well as entries and exits, are covered.”
This arrest brings a significant relief to the local communities affected by these thefts.
