Pune is witnessing an alarming surge in chain-snatching incidents over the past few months. Chain snatchers are targeting senior citizens, especially women, leading to unsafe environments for them. Pune city has witnessed 299 cases in the last two months.

Police suspect that gangs from outside the city are behind these crimes, as they arrive, commit a series of thefts, and flee without leaving a trace.

Recent cases

In a recent case, a 68-year-old woman became a victim of snatchers on December 23 near the TVS showroom in Laxmi Nagar, Parvati Wild, while returning home. The victim was walking when chain snatchers arrived on two-wheelers and snatched her gold chain, valued at ₹70,000. A case has been registered under section 309 (4) of the Indian Penal Code at Parvati police station.

The second incident took place in Vishram Baug jurisdiction on December 23. A 60-year-old victim went for a morning walk at Lokmanya Nagar Jogging Park in Navipeth at 7:00 a.m. when the goons arrived and forcefully took her gold chain, worth ₹14,000. The case was later registered at Vishrambaug police station.

Similarly, the third incident came to light from Alankar Police jurisdiction on December 24 when a 54-year-old lady lodged a case at Alankar police station. According to police information, the 52-year-old victim is a resident of Sinhagad. On Tuesday morning, around 5:20am, the victim was running near Ayodhya Hotel at DP Road, Erandwane, when three goons approached her on a single two-wheeler and snatched her gold ornaments, worth ₹1.61 lakh, before fleeing. A case has been registered at Alankar police station.

Speaking to the Free Press Journal, Shailesh Balkawade, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime), said, "Detection of such gangs is the only method to curb such kinds of crimes. Currently, the outside gang of chain snatching is active in the city, causing the rise in chain-snatching cases. Our team is trying to detect them. They come by road, commit multiple series of chain snatchings, and run away. They do not stay in the city. Once a gang is detected, around 10-15 cases are related to them. There is no particular name of the gang involved in the chain-snatching cases that has come to light. However, the search operation is underway."