Pune Crime: ₹40 Lakh Robbery Solved Within 24 Hours, Victim’s Friend Found To Be Mastermind

The Ambegaon Police in Pune have revealed the real mastermind behind the sensational incident of three men arriving in a Thar car, beating up a steel businessman and snatching a bag containing ₹40 lakh in cash.

After the arrests, it has come to light that the victim, who trusted the accused as a friend, is actually the mastermind behind the robbery conspiracy.

The names of those arrested are Mangesh Dilip Dhone (Ramlinganagar, Yedshi, District Dharashiv), Pradeep Ramdas Doifode (resident of Varad Heights, Inglenagar, Bhugaon), and a minor accomplice from Bhugaon has been detained.

According to the police, victim Abhijit Vishnu Pawar runs a business called Shri Ganesh Traders and Patra Depot. He supplies patra and steel materials in Pune. On July 15, Pawar had come to collect money for goods supplied to construction workers in Pune. At that time, he had ₹40 lakh in his bag. Accused Dhone is his friend and had met Pawar in Hadapsar. Dhone already knew that Pawar was coming with the money.

Pawar was going to Excella Plaza in Ambegaon to inquire about the payment for the goods. He parked the car on the road and gave the bag of money to Dhone. Dhone was following him with the bag on his shoulder. At that moment, two people suddenly approached from behind in a Thar car near the Excella Plaza building and snatched the bag from Dhone’s shoulder. Pawar immediately ran towards the driver and tried to remove the car keys. However, the driver punched him hard in the face, and fell to the ground. The bag snatchers then fled towards Navale Bridge.

After checking CCTV footage from the scene and receiving information from an undercover informant, the police arrested Doifode and a minor. They also seized a Thar car from them. At the same time, police grew suspicious of Dhone. Upon interrogation, Dhone confessed to his involvement in the crime.

Sharad Zine (SPI) of Ambegaon Police Station said a Thar car, five mobile phones and ₹9.35 lakh have been seized from the accused. The victim's friend was involved in the robbery conspiracy.

With the help of technical surveillance and a tip-off, they were arrested within 24 hours.

However, the matter is under investigation, and other people involved in the case will be arrested soon.

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