PUNE: Two persons allegedly stole Rs1 lakh from the backpack of a 59-year-old Katraj resident early on Sunday morning after offering him and his wife a lift at the Shimla (Met) office chowk near the Shivajinagar state transport (ST) terminus.
The victim, Tulshiram
Wavalkar, stated in his police complaint that he and his wife had arrived in the city from their native place in Beed by a bus around 5.30am and were looking for a transport to their Katraj home. The two men in a white SUV approached them and offered a ride to Katraj for Rs20 per head. The couple readily agreed and got into the SUV.
Wavalkar told the Shivajinagar police that his wife was carrying the backpack containing Rs1 lakh. While boarding the SUV, his wife handed over the bag to one of the suspects and he tossed it on the rear seat. The SUV then headed towards Katraj.
After travelling about 2-3km, the SUV driver received a call on his cellphone. After the conversation, he stopped the vehicle and informed the couple that he would not be going ahead. The couple then alighted from the SUV, the FIR stated.
One of the suspects sitting in the rear picked up their bag and threw it outside the SUV. The four-wheeler then sped away from the spot.
Wavalkar got suspicious about their behaviour. When checked the bag, he found the cash missing.
Inspector Vitthal Darekar and his team are investigating the case. The team checked the footage of the CCTV cameras in the area but failed to locate the SUV. Darekar said the police were verifying the complaint.
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