Three wanted criminals nabbed

The police informed that with the arrest of these three criminals, they have solved 11 cases.

The arrested persons have been identified as Nitin Ankush Metkari (24), a resident of Janta Vasahat, Kuldeep Hariom Valmiki (24), a resident of Uttamnagar and Prakesh Jayesh Yewale (23), a resident of Sutradara in Kothrud.

The police acted on a tip-off by ASI Anil Shinde and Head Constable Praveen Tapikir.

The team was led by Senior Police Inspector Rajendra Mokashi and Sub-Inspector Sanjay Gaikwad.

The investigation team included ACP Sameer Shaikh, PSI Kiran Adagale, Rajkumar Kendre, and policemen Kishore Shinde, Pravin Tapkir, Santosh Kshirsagar, Atul Sathe, Sandeep Talekar, Mehboob Mokashi, Shakil Shaikh, Rahul Ghadge, Sandeep Rathod, Macchindra Walke, Dattatray Garud, Deepak Mate, Rohidas Lawande, Gajanan Ekbote, Wilson D Souza, Sachin Gaikwad, Kailash Salunkhe and Sujit Pawar.

The team laid a trap near Khed-Shivapur and nabbed the three accused.

Police also seized a bike from them which they had looted earlier from a man in Swargate on June 13.

The criminals were also wanted for a Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) case registered with Paud police station under Pune rural police.

Additional CP (Crime) Ashok Morale said, “The accused persons have a criminal record with several cases against each of them, which are registered with police stations across Pune city and Pune rural. With the arrest of these criminals, we have solved 11 cases registered with Swargate, Kondhwa, Alankar, Hinjawadi police stations.”

“The trio was brought together by notorious goon ‘Chocolate’ alias Sunil Dokephode, who was arrested recently,” said DCP (Crime) Shirish Sardesepande.