NAGPUR: Imambada cops have netted three burglars who would make it a point to go on a pilgrimage after a heist. Disposing of the stolen
materials, the trio would take their friends on the tour in which they spent the ill-gotten money. Imambada police, which have reduced serious offences within their limits, are on a new high after recovering substantial amount of stolen materials.
Pankaj Sahu, alias Chhotu, and Abhishek Thakur, 20, were the first to be picked up by the cops after they learnt about some jewellery in their possession. Police immediately prompted their informers' network at Rambagh after they came to know about the jewellery.
Similar valuables had been stolen from the residence of retired RTO official Wasudevrao Pande in Reshimbagh in November last year. One of Pande's relatives, residing in the opposite apartment, had spotted three persons fleeing the spot. The Pandes had gone to Yavatmal when the incident taken place. The family members were upset about the fact that the robbers had decamped with the life savings of Pande, who retired in 2003 after 37 years of service.
Senior inspector AD More, in-charge of Imambada police station, said the cops had nearly netted the trio shortly after the incident but they had slipped out. "We had chased the trio while fleeing on a bike after trying to stop them while patrolling. Our doubt intensified after a handful of Rs five coins slipped from their possession. Initially we thought that they must have burgled a pan kiosk. But a call from control room clarified the situation," said More adding that he was at Pande's residence shortly.
Sahu and Thakur were netted during the course of investigation which was initiated by sub-inspector PT Samruthwar and assistant sub-inspector Sahebrao Deshmukh. Later, police also arrested Sandesh Pandagade, 22, for his alleged involvement in the gang.
A substantial amount of gold and one kg silver were also recovered from the trio. The cops are also watching others persons for might be involved in the gang. Head constable Dilip Watane, constable Narayan Kirad, Rajesh Thakur and others were also part of the recovery squad. The gang, only interested to steal cash and gold, would often ignore other valuables.
Apart from Pande's residence, police said Thakur was also allegedly involved in another burglary at Rambagh where he and his accomplice had decamped with valuables worth around Rs 70,000. Pandagade and Sahu were allegedly involved in another burglary also at Rambagh in the recent past.