Alert security guards nab two sandalwood thieves at National Chemical Laboratory

NCL security officer Parag Chitanvis (56) lodged the FIR at the Chaturshringi police station.
Police said four persons including Lokhande and Patole entered the jungle area in NCL premises in the early hours of Friday for stealing sandalwood.

They chopped seven sandalwood trees, but the security guards at the NCL were alert. The security guards noticed some suspicious movements in the jungle and informed the police around 3.15 am
In a quick time, a police team reached the spot. The security guards nabbed Lokhande and Patole with the help of police. One sandalwood log was recovered from their possession. “Two accomplices escaped from the spot with six sandalwood logs. Search is on for them,” said assistant police inspector Amol Dhas, the investigation officer of this case.

Police have booked the four accused under sections 303 (2), 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Meanwhile, a court in Pune remanded the two arrested accused to police custody for one day. Then they were granted magisterial custody and lodged in Yerwada jail, police said.

Multiple incidents of sandalwood thefts were reported at the NCL in the past. Three sandalwood trees were stolen from NCL in December 2023, police said.