Pune: Pimpri Chinchwad Police Detain Vehicle Thief Who ‘Learned’ Theft Techniques from YouTube

Reported By Varad Bhatkhande

Pimpri Chinchwad, 26th August 2024: A vehicle thief who “learned” how to steal vehicles from YouTube has been detained by Pimpri Chinchwad Police. Eighteen motorcycles, worth nearly Rs 9 lakh, have been confiscated from him. This thief specifically targeted vehicles parked along highways, making it difficult for law enforcement officials to identify him from CCTV footage due to the high volume of vehicles. The action was taken by Unit 4 of the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissionerate (PCPC).

On 9th August, a case was registered with the Hinjawadi Police regarding the theft of one Royal Enfield Bullet and one Bajaj Pulsar from Baner Mhalunge Road. This case was transferred to Crime Branch Unit 4. Unit 4 has successfully arrested Abhishek Malappa Havalekar (age 21, resident of Ambethan; native of Shahupuri, Satara).

According to information provided by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Doiphode, officials from Unit 4 began reviewing all CCTV footage available in the area from which a Royal Enfield Bullet and a Bajaj Pulsar were stolen. Three teams were formed for this investigation. Nearby routes were investigated, with approximately 80 CCTV footages surveyed. After thorough technical analysis and meticulous investigation, a suspect was identified and detained on 20th August.

During interrogation, he confessed to stealing the two-wheelers, revealing that he has a notorious criminal history. Eighteen two-wheelers, collectively worth Rs 8,90,000, were confiscated from him, and 16 cases registered across multiple police stations were solved. Among these, six cases were registered at Hinjawadi, three at Chaturshringi, and one each at Wakad, Sangvi, Pimpri, Chinchwad, Chandan Nagar, Bharti Vidyapeeth, and Satara City Police Stations. Mayuresh Salunkhe from Unit 4 is investigating the matter further.

Left Home in Anger, Learned to Steal on YouTube

It was revealed during the investigation that the accused, Havalekar, had left his home in Satara district due to a family dispute. In an attempt to earn money, he began watching YouTube videos on how to steal vehicles, including how to break handle locks and start vehicles without keys. He also stole vehicles in highway areas to deceive the police, believing they wouldn’t recognize him among so many vehicles. He has stolen vehicles from Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and Satara areas.

This operation was conducted under the guidance of Pimpri-Chinchwad Commissioner of Police Vinoy Kumar Choubey, Joint Commissioner of Police Dr. Shashikant Mahavarkar, Additional Commissioner of Police Vasant Pardeshi, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Doiphode, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime 1) Dr. Vishal Hire, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime 2) Balasaheb Kopnar. The team, led by Senior Police Inspector Sandeep Sawant, included Police Sub-Inspectors Mayuresh Salunkhe and Narayan Jadhav, Assistant Police Sub-Inspectors Sanjay Gaware and Adinath Misal, and Police Constables Praveen Dhale, Tushar Shete, Mohammad Gaus Nadaf, Suresh Jaybhaye, Rohidas Aade, Vasudeo Munde, Sunil Gatte, Prashant Said, Dhanaji Shinde, Govind Chavan, Sukhdev Gawande, and Amar Rane.