Software destination Hinjewadi’s traffic issues are now overshadowed by a bigger menace: a spate of night robberies. On an average, one such case is registered every six days with the Hinjewadi police station. Other crimes too are on the rise, making the Hinjewadi police station area the most crime-infested in the city.
The robbers mainly target software professionals and commuters in isolated areas at night. They take away cash, gold ornaments and mobile phones. In some cases, they also assault the victims.
Sources at the Hinjewadi police stations claimed that most night robberies have not been registered as the complainant is either working with a software firm or is a commuter of another part of the city.
“We have observed that such incidents are mainly reported on weekends when the people come for dinner at hotels on the Mumbai-Bangalore highway. The suspects usually target those who are alone. The robbers follow the victim on bikes and catch up with him in isolated area. They halt the victim, brandish knives or pistols and relieve the victim of his valuables,” said the sources.
Senior police inspector PD Patil of Hinjewadi police station told dna, “The cases are on the rise but we are putting in continuous efforts to curb them. The modus operandi of the suspects is that they come on motorcycles, halt commuters in isolated areas and relieve them of their valuables. Most of the incidents have taken place in Bhumkar Chowk, Dange Chowk, Wakad Chowk and fringe areas.”
When asked what could be the main reason for rise in such robberies in the area, Patil said, “After the civic elections, the new construction sites in Pulawale, Maan and Tathawade have increased. As a result, the population has also increased, which is why robberies are on the rise. In most of the cases, the victims did not provide enough information about the robbers. As a result, the cases did not get solved.”
Moreover, the total number of crime cases are on the rise in Hinjewadi. Till date 553 criminal cases have been registered with the police station. The Hinjewadi police station area has become one of the most crime-infested area among all 35 police stations in city limits.
Patil added, “We have intensified night patrolling in our areas.”
Recent cases
A 35-year-old businessman was looted by two unidentified persons of cash and valuables worth Rs1.24 lakh early on Sunday at Kala-Khadak area of Wakad. The victim, Vijaykumar Santaram Gund, a resident of Thergaon, lodged a complaint with Hinjewadi police station in this regard.
Gund had gone for dinner to Ranjai Hotel. After dinner, he was on his way home on his bike. When he reached Kala-Khadak Chowk, two persons on a bike sped up from behind, halted him and beat him up before decamping with cash and gold ornaments totally valued at Rs1.24 lakh.
Patil said, “The victim was in a trauma and lodged a complaint on Monday. He did not provide any description of the robbers and the registration number of their bike.”
On November 5, a cab driver of a Hinjewadi-based software firm was looted by two persons at knifepoint. They fled with his car, a mobile phone and Rs200. The victim, Laxman Nagnath Sawant (25), is a resident of Sakharewasti, Hinjewadi.
Modus operandi
- The suspects keep tabs on the victim noticed at roadside hotels and dhabas
- They follow him on their motorcycle and target him at an isolated spot
- They brandish knives or firearms.
- Most of the robberies are done between 9.30 pm and 12.30 am
Vulnerable locations
Areas where such crimes are registered are Bhumkar Chowk, Dange Chowk, Wakad Chowk, Chandni Chowk and fringe areas
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