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Journalism of Courage
The Pimpri Chinchwad police have arrested a delivery boy, a gambling addict, for allegedly stealing his sister’s gold ornaments on January 13.
The police have identified the accused as Shrikant Dashrath Pangare, 29, a native of Beed district, who has been currently residing at his sister’s house in Walhekarwadi in Chinchwad from where he allegedly stole 125 grams of gold ornaments.
The police have recovered the stolen jewellery, estimated at Rs 9.37 lakh, from his possession.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Doifode stated that the accused committed the theft to repay the loans he had taken from people that he lost in gambling.
A probe by sub-inspector Ganesh Mane revealed that Pangare, a delivery boy with Zepto, lost money and five acres of farmland to online and offline gambling.
Based on the complaint of Pangare’s sister, the Crime Branch team led by senior inspector Shailesh Gaikwad initiated a parallel probe into the theft at the house in Rajnigandha society.
“Accused lost huge money in offline gambling at his native place as well as online gambling. He even sold his farmland and lost the entire money in gambling,” said Gaikwad.
The investigators found that it was not a case of house break-in as there was no tampering of the door lock, or latch of windows of the house or cupboards.
The police said he not only committed theft but also accompanied his sister while lodging the FIR at the police station.
Pangare who was nabbed on Wednesday over suspicion later admitted to his involvement in the theft.
The police said the complainant woman runs a medical shop, while her husband goes for work during the day time.
Pangare has been residing with them for the past four months.
A First Information Report (FIR) was lodged at the Chinchwad police station.
