Cops arrest man for stealing valuables from cars

Pune: The Alankar police have arrested Raju Baburao Jawalkar (57), a resident of Donje village near Sinhagad Fort, for stealing valuables from parked cars and SUVs on public roads in Erandwane.

The police said he had previously been arrested in over 100 theft cases in the city.

The Alankar police have registered six cases of theft in the last week, where an unidentified person allegedly stole valuables from parked four-wheelers after breaking windows.

“We have recovered valuables such as gold ornaments, laptops, cellphones and cash, collectively worth Rs 12.18 lakh, from his possession,” said senior inspector Ulhas Kadam of Alankar police.

“His modus operandi was simple. He used to roam around carrying a screwdriver. After spotting a parked vehicle, he would peep inside to see if any bag, valuables or cash were inside. Owners generally park their vehicles on public roads and go about their day. Jawalkar used to target such vehicles. He would then break the window using the screwdriver and steal the valuables,” Kadam said.

“We arrested him after analysing CCTV footage from the area,” he added.

“Earlier, over the past 15 years, he had been arrested in vehicle and other theft cases registered by the Pune city, Satara, Pune rural, Kolhapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Pimpri Chinchwad police,” Kadam said.