Duo use cycle stands in burglaries

Pune: The crime branch has learned that the ‘Bunty and Babli' gang used a simple bicycle stand to commit several house break-ins across the city. It may sound strange, but it is true that a bicycle stand can be used to commit house break-in offences. The crime branch of Pune police has discovered a new modus operandi, following the arrest of Bunty and Babli gang.
"The arrest of Usha Kamble (27) and her friend Bhaudas Kachru Shirsat (32) from Dehu Road on April 11 has helped the police in detecting five cases, including four burglaries and one vehicle theft, and recovering 100 percent stolen loot, totally worth Rs 8.66 lakhs," said deputy commissioner of police (crime) P R Patil on Saturday.
A police team, led by senior inspector Sushama Chavan, incharge of the property cell of crime branch arrested Kamble and Shirsat as well as recovered a plastic bag containing three bicycle stands, a screw driver and a cell phone after finding them loitering in a suspicious manner.
According to Patil, the duo confessed to committing a series of house break-ins said the duo during interrogation confessed of committing series of house break-in offences in Mundhwa, Koregaon Park, Chatushrungi and Dighi since November 2015.
The officer said, "Kamble conducted recces in upmarket housing societies and sought Shirsat's took assistance to commit burglaries of Shirsat in committing burglaries in unoccupied apartments. Shirsat would push the door and insert the bicycle stand so as to open it. He then pushed opened the door. By Using the same modus operandi, they opened the cupboards to for stealing cash and ornaments and valuables," said Patil.
Also four wrist watches and the motorbike belonging to Shirsat which was used in the crime was also recovered, he added.
Sr PI Chavan added, "During investigations, we during investigations arrested the third suspect Rama Papa Chavan (20) also from Dehu Road, for abetment in a burglary in presently residing in Shivajinagar slums for abetting Kamble and Shirsat in committing one more burglary in Vimmannagar. Chavan's custody has been transferred to the Airport police station for further action."
As per police officials, Kamble had earlier been arrested in relation to five burglary cases in 2015. She was also known to take on new partners in crime through every spree. "We had arrested Kamble and her other friend Akash Pardeshi in five burglary cases in 2015. Kamble often changed her partners for committing crime. Kamble has 13 cases registered against her at Bundgarden, Yerawada, Nigdi, Vishrantwadi, Chatushrungi and Airport police stations since 2009. Shirsat has nine cases registered against him. Kamble spends the money generated in crime for fun and merry making," she added.
The police team responsible for the arrest include Sandeep Jagtap, Ajinath Wakse, Bhalchandra Borkar, Sambhaji Gaikwad, Santosh Mohite, Yashwant Khandare as well as Rupali Chandgude.
The Pune cantonment court on Saturday remanded Kamble and Shirsat to judical custody remand. They were later sent to the Yerawada central prison.