In a significant development, the Lonavala City Police, under the guidance of Pune Rural Police Superintendent Sandeep Singh Gill, have cracked a high-profile burglary case registered on June 9, 2025, under Crime No. 232/2025, Sections 300(5)(A) and 331(3)(4) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The incident involved the theft of gold jewelry weighing 47 tolas and silver utensils weighing 2 kilograms, valued at ₹29.26 lakh, from the residence of 65-year-old Vina Narayan Mule in Rajuji Colony, Juna Khandala Road, Lonavala. The breakthrough came after a relentless investigation by the Local Crime Branch, leading to the arrest of four accused and the recovery of stolen goods worth ₹30.01 lakh.
The burglary was reported on June 9, 2025, when Vina Mule, living alone, received a call from neighbor Morris informing her of the break-in. Her daughter Aboli, who had been visiting Ambegaon Budruk, Pune, accompanied her back to Lonavala, where they found the lock broken and the valuables missing. The case gained urgency as monsoon-triggered property crimes rise, especially in Lonavala, a popular tourist destination with vacant homes and rented bungalows becoming easy targets. Superintendent Gill directed a parallel investigation, and the crime scene analysis revealed the theft occurred at night. CCTV footage identified three suspects heading toward Lonavala station and fleeing to Pimpri Chinchwad by train.
On June 16, 2025, a tip from a confidential informant led the crime branch to Vadgaon Maval, where, despite heavy rains, they nabbed Chandrakant Anant Mane (32) and Dhananjay Harish Kale (20) near the old Mumbai-Pune bypass. Both confessed to the crime during interrogation. Further probes revealed that the stolen items were sold to Dipak Shivaji Madge (38) from Patil Ali, Karjat, Raigad, and Kailashchandra Dhagnalal Jat (40) from Swastik Villa, Sector 11, Vashi. Raids recovered 34 tolas and 8 grams of gold jewelry and 2 kilograms of silver utensils.
Chandrakant Mane, a habitual offender with over 50 burglary cases across Karnataka, Chennai, Solapur, Pimpri Chinchwad, and Pune, had recently been released on bail from a Chennai case. The operation, conducted under the supervision of Additional Superintendent Ramesh Chopde, Sub-Divisional Police Officer Amol Mandve, and Inspector Avinash Shilimkar, involved a dedicated team including Police Inspectors Rajesh Ramagare and Abhijit Sawant, and constables Rahul Pawar, Sagar Namdas, and others.
This swift action underscores the police’s commitment to curbing crime during the monsoon season. The accused have been remanded to police custody, and investigations continue. Residents are advised to secure their properties, especially with the influx of tourists. Stay updated via official police channels for further developments.
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