Youth damages multiple vehicles in Dhankawadi after argument with mother; residents hand him over to police
Dhankawadi
A youth in Dhankawadi vandalised two-wheelers and cars after a dispute with his mother. Locals caught him and turned him over to police.
Dhankawadi, Pune| Nov 20, 2025 –: Residents of Dhankawadi were startled on Wednesday night after a youth allegedly damaged several parked vehicles in a fit of anger following an argument with his mother. The incident took place inside a residential lane where at least a dozen two-wheelers and a few cars were parked. Locals intervened quickly and detained the youth before he could cause further damage, later handing him over to the police.
According to people in the area, the youth had arrived at his mother’s home earlier in the evening, asking to stay there. His mother reportedly refused due to ongoing behavioural issues. Witnesses said this triggered an outburst, and he left the flat in anger. Moments later, residents heard loud noises from the parking area and saw the youth hitting vehicles with what appeared to be a metal object.
He first struck a couple of cars, breaking mirrors and windows, before turning to the bikes and scooters lined up along the pavement. Several vehicle owners said the damage occurred within minutes, with mirrors shattered, indicators broken and panels scratched. One resident who stepped out to stop him said the youth seemed extremely agitated and unresponsive to warnings.
A group of locals eventually managed to restrain him. They alerted the Dhankawadi police, who reached the spot and took the youth into custody. Officers said they are checking whether the outburst was influenced by alcohol, emotional distress or other personal issues. They will review CCTV footage from the lane to establish the sequence of events and assess the full extent of the damage.
Vehicle owners have begun filing formal complaints, and the police are preparing to register charges related to vandalism and public disturbance. Residents say the quick collective response prevented the situation from escalating further. Some expressed concern that had he not been stopped, he might have harmed someone in the area, especially as many children and senior citizens use the lane during evenings.
The youth’s mother has been questioned about his behaviour and the events leading up to the incident. She reportedly told officers that she had previously warned her son about his aggressive behaviour. Neighbours also mentioned earlier episodes of conflicts between the two, though none had resulted in major damage until now.
The incident has renewed conversations in the locality about rising cases of vehicle vandalism and youth frustration in crowded urban pockets. Many residents are calling for increased police patrolling during late hours and better lighting in internal lanes. Some have suggested installing more CCTV cameras to deter such incidents and make it easier to identify offenders.
For now, the youth remains in custody while the police process statements from witnesses and vehicle owners. Officials said they will also check if the youth has any previous history of similar behaviour. Residents hope this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of community alertness, especially in areas where homes and parking spaces are closely packed.
