Pune: Thief Poses as Jain Devotee to Steal Ornaments from Temples, Arrested After Two-Week Investigation

Swargate Police, after weeks-long investigation, successfully solved a housebreaking case involving the theft of valuable gold ornaments from a Jain temple.

The theft occurred at the residence of Jai Paresh Parekh, a resident of Flat No. 901, Citywood Sosa near Poonawalla Garden, who reported the stolen gold crown and gold chain from the Jain temple at his home. On the same day, similar attempts were made to steal ornaments from 3 to 4 other Jain temples in Pune, all within the Swargate Police Station limits, during the Kartik Purnima celebrations.

Recognizing the severity of the crime, Senior Police Inspector Yuvraj Nandre swiftly formed a special investigation team. The team conducted thorough technical analysis, reviewed CCTV footage, and followed up on reports from Pune to Mumbai. Police Constable Sagar Kekan received a lead from a special correspondent that similar crimes had been reported in Dombivli, Mumbai, and other areas, with the suspect believed to be residing in Girgaon, Mumbai.

With this vital information, a team from Swargate Police Station traveled to Girgaon, Mumbai, and apprehended the suspect, Naresh Agarchand Jain, a resident of Bombay Chawl, Girgaon. During interrogation, Jain confessed to the thefts and disclosed the location of the stolen gold items, which were valued at Rs. 420,000. The stolen gold crown and chain were seized, and the case was closed.

Disguised as Jain devotee and stole

Further investigation revealed that the accused had carried out similar crimes in Ghatkopar, Wai, Chikhali, Dombivli, and other locations, targeting Jain temples. He disguised himself as a Jain devotee to steal the ornaments. Senior Police Inspector Yuvraj Nandre has appealed to the public to report any similar thefts to the Swargate Police Station. The investigation is ongoing under the supervision of Police Sub-Inspector Tanwade.

The successful resolution of the case is credited to the efforts of Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, Joint Police Commissioner Ranjankumar Sharma, Additional Police Commissioner Pravin Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police Smartana Patil, Assistant Commissioner of Police Rahul Aware, and the Swargate Police team led by Senior Police Inspector Yuvraj Nandre.