16 persons arrested in various cases of thefts

Pune, May 14 (UNI) City police arrested 16 persons in connection with various cases of theft and house breaking, involving loot of Rs 23 lakh, in the last fortnight.

Addressing a press conference, DCP C H Wakade said thefts were on the increase in city's Kothrud area. A special team was formed and trained to deal with it. A trap was laid, resulting in the arrest of 16 persons including the main accused, Bunty alias Mayur Bhunde and his accomplice, an engineer with a BPO firm, Sameer Harish Deshpande, Wakade informed.

''Sameer and Bunty had become experts in house breaking and the police has recovered gold and laptops worth Rs 7.5 lakh'', Wakade said.

''After interrogation, the duo revealed the names of 10 others involved in crimes including vehicle theft, while two jewellers who knew about their activities have also been arrested. It is a major detection and there is a possibility of more arrests,'' Wakade added.

UNI