Nagpur: Crime Branch Unit 1 has busted an inter-district vehicle theft gang operating from Bhandara and arrested three accused involved in multiple two-wheeler theft cases across Nagpur and nearby areas. Police recovered 14 stolen vehicles and two mobile phones collectively worth Rs 13.55 lakh.
The breakthrough came during the investigation of a vehicle theft case registered at Bajaj Nagar Police Station.
According to police, complainant Gaurav Sanjay Mriguwar (45), a resident of Karmyogi Apartment, had parked his Honda Activa scooter (MH-49-CP-3087) worth Rs 40,000 on the footpath opposite Priyadarshini College in Bajaj Nagar on April 18, 2026. When he returned, the scooter was found stolen.
Based on his complaint, Bajaj Nagar Police registered a case under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against unidentified thieves.
During the probe, Crime Branch Unit 1 officials used technical surveillance and intelligence inputs to trace the accused to Lakhani in Bhandara district.
Police detained accused Piyush Ravindra Jagnade (23), a resident of Tekepaar, Lakhani, currently staying at Babulkheda in Nagpur, along with a numberless Activa scooter. During interrogation, he confessed to committing the theft along with his associates:
- Anshul Mahesh Sahajare (23), resident of Lakhori Road near Bharat Gas Godown, Lakhani, Bhandara
- Deep Kuldeep Ramteke (20), resident near Water Tank, Lakhori Road, Lakhani, Bhandara
Further questioning revealed the trio’s involvement in at least 11 vehicle theft cases registered across various police stations including MIDC, Pratap Nagar, Sonegaon, Hudkeshwar, Khaparkheda, Butibori MIDC and Bori Police Stations.
Apart from the stolen Activa, police seized several other two-wheelers from the accused, including a Bajaj Pulsar (MH-40-AH-1840), a Royal Enfield Bullet (PB-02-AL-4440) and a Honda Unicorn (MH-36-AQ-6556), which was allegedly used during the commission of crimes.
In total, police recovered 14 two-wheelers and two mobile phones worth Rs 13,55,000.
Crime Branch officials stated that while 11 theft cases have been solved so far, verification is underway regarding the ownership and criminal linkage of some additional seized vehicles.
The accused have been handed over to Bajaj Nagar Police for further legal action and investigation.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal, Joint Commissioner Navinchandra Reddy, Additional CP Shivaji Rathod, DCP Rahul Maknikar and ACP Roshan Pandit, along with officers and personnel of Crime Branch Unit 1 led by Dynaneshwar Bhedodkar.
