Aurangabad cops nab five dacoits for trying to sell fake gold

AURANGABAD: Aurangabad police have nabbed five dacoits and busted a gang actively involved in robbing and looting people on the pretext of selling them gold at throwaway prices.
The Pundalik Nagar police team led by assistant inspector Sheshrao Khatane nabbed the five accused -- Mangalsingh Pawar (26), Fakira Shah (32), Rajesh Pawar (24), all belonging to Pimpalgaon Sarai of Buldhana district, Ravindra Mhaske (27) of Jafrabad in Jalna district and Subhash Suruse (48) of Matla in Buldhana.
The police team seized 2000 fake gold coins weighing about 1775 grams, sharp-edged weapons, mobile phones and car bearing Mumbai registration number.
Pundalik Nagar's senior inspector Dilip Gangurde said that during the raid carried out in the open space surrounding Nehru College situated in Shivaji Nagar area, one of the suspect dacoits managed to flee the spot and teams have been dispatched to nab the suspect.
"Preliminary probe has revealed that Mangalsingh Pawar and Subhash Suruse are hardened criminals having cases of robbery, dacoity, cheating registered against them in Buldhana district," said Gangurde.
The officer said that during the preliminary questioning, the accused have confessed that they would lay a trap by claiming to have large quantities of gold coins.
"Any gullible person wanting to buy gold coins at throwaway prices, would fall in their trap. The accused would convince their target to come along cash for buying the gold and on arrival, the accused would brutally assault the target before robbing him of the cash he brought," said Gangurde.
Sources privy to the probe maintained that the suspects already had some people from the city on their target. The gang of dacoits ran out of luck, after the police learnt about their ongoing negotiations with the possible targets on Monday evening.
The police have booked and arrested the accused on the charges of making preparations for committing dacoity.
On being produced before the court, the accused have been remanded to police custody.