Staff Reporter

A property dealer resorted to robbery to pay off his staggering gambling debt worth Rs 20 lakh, resulting in the assault and theft from an elderly couple’s home. The accused, identified as Devendra Narayan Sonsaware (36), a resident of Vasant Nagar, currently staying at the CRPF Camp in Hingna as his wife works there, was arrested by Unit 4 of the Crime Branch and handed over to Ajni Police. The incident took place on Thursday, around 6.30 am, when Ramesh Nehte (80), and his wife Indumati Nehte (76), were at home. The robber came on a two-wheeler and barged into Nehte’s house. He attempted to snatch a gold chain from Indumati’s neck. Upon Ramesh’s intervention, the robber resorted to violence and struck him with a hammer. After injuring Ramesh seriously, the attacker fled the scene with the stolen gold chain.

A complaint was lodged with the Ajni Police. Devendra’s identity came to light after scanning of CCTV footage of around 150 cameras. He was spotted near Lata Mangeshkar Hospital at the CRPF Camp. The police arrested him on the basis of CCTV footage. Further inquiries revealed that Devendra, burdened with a gambling debt ranging between Rs 20 lakhs, entered in the criminal activity in a bid to alleviate his financial woes. Under the guidance of DCP Detection Nimit Goyal, the arrest was made by Police Inspector Tale, PSI Avinash Jaybhaye, and staff including Sunil Thawkar, Roshan Tiwari, Atul Chate, Devendra Navghare, Swapnil Amritkar, Sandeep Mawalkar, and Satyendra Yadav.