Pune: Police Chatathrungi has arrested two men who allegedly robbed a cash photographer and valuable items worth RS1.8 Lakh in Baner Hill at 1pm on August 17.
According to complaints submitted by photographers, robbers take cellphones, cameras, bracelets and cash.
Police have since recovered cameras, bracelets and cellphones, worth RS1.40 Lakh, from the captured duo.
The robbery has sent frightened ripple among the residents of Baner and adjoining areas, which often distinguishes hills – considered safer than vetal tekdi, Hanuman Tekdi, Bukit Taljai, Parvati and Bhamburda.
Mukherjee said he took a photo on a hill and climbed around 1pm when the two men approached him and seized his belongings.
“The hill does not have a CCTV surveillance system.
Our team surveyed the area and found several recordings from CCTV from places on the road to the hill.
We studied the recording and was investigated for information when we received a tip-off of one of the suspects,” Inspector said Senior Rajkumar Waghchaiure to Ti.
On Monday, the police arrested the suspect, Akshay Vitthal Suryavanshi (23) from Baner, and the next day, took his feet Vishal Mahadev Gaikwad (21) also from Baner, to detention.
“Both are daily wage workers.
Gaikwad has a criminal record; he was previously arrested in the case of theft,” police said.
“My parents and I visited my sister in Mhalunge.
I heard the hill is a great place for nature photography.
On August 17, I went there to photograph butterflies and birds,” Mukherjee told Toi.
When he was walking, the suspects – armed with sticks and stones – approached him and asked him to give up his belongings.
“I didn’t refuse.
However, when they walked away, I grabbed my bag and ran down the hill, asked for help, but nothing was around.
The duo followed, attacking me and grabbed my bag again,” he said.
Pandurang Bhubal, a member of Vasundhara Abhiya, who did conservation work on the hill, said, “robbery and fighting is a routine event but rarely reported.
Our group and many others who often visit the hill for 6am and 11 in the morning.
Only after this window occurred Crime.
We often advise people – especially couples – to avoid hills in the afternoon.
“Local Resident Abhinav Kashid said he had never faced a problem on the hill.
“I heard about such an incident and avoided visiting the hill in the afternoon.,” Kashid.
(With input by MIHIR Tanksale)