Kalamna police arrest three from Warora for shop burglary in Nagpur, Rs 4.54 lakh seized

Kalamna police in Nagpur have cracked down on those who broke into a shop by lifting its shutter. Police arrested three accused from Warora in Chandrapur district. Stolen copper and brass scrap and the Tata pickup vehicle used in the crime were also seized. The total value of the seized goods is put at about Rs 4.54 lakh. Police traced the accused by linking CCTV footage, technical investigation and leads from secret information.

According to police, complainant Vivek Shankar Sahu (27) runs a scrap shop called "Tirupati Metals" at Char Number Naka, Narmada Nagar, Plot No. C/2, Pavanagaon Road, in the Kalamna area. On the night of October 13, 2026, he closed the shop around 10 pm and went home. When he reached the shop around 10 am the next day, he found the shutter lifted.

Inside, Rs 10,000 in cash kept in the counter was missing. About 130 to 140 kg of copper and brass scrap was also gone. The scrap is estimated to be worth Rs 1.54 lakh. Together, cash and scrap amounted to a theft of Rs 1.64 lakh. After checking the bills for the goods, Sahu confirmed the theft and informed police. Kalamna police registered a case and began an investigation.

Given the seriousness of the case, a special investigation team was formed under the guidance of senior officers. The team, led by Assistant Police Inspector Ajay Jadhav and guided by Deputy Commissioner of Police Nityanand Jha, stepped up the probe. Police went through footage from about 50 to 60 CCTV cameras in the Kalamna and Pardi police station areas and neighbouring localities. The footage was examined closely to trace suspicious activity and the movements of the accused.

In the technical investigation, mobile locations and SDR records were analysed. Information was also gathered from local informers. Police checked the activities of suspects with past records and joined together different leads. During this, police learnt that the suspects involved in the theft lived in the Warora area of Chandrapur district. After the information was confirmed, the police team laid a trap in Warora and arrested all three accused.

The arrested are Venkatesh Hari Badkhal (31), Manohar Narayan Dandekar (38) and Bhima Ramdas Dandekar (42). All three live at Hanuman Ward, near Pankaj Talkies, Yatra Ward, Warora, Chandrapur district.

The seized goods include about 130 to 140 kg of copper and brass scrap, estimated at Rs 1.54 lakh. A Tata pickup vehicle, registration number MH-40-CT-1932, estimated at Rs 3 lakh, was also seized. Police said this pickup was used in the crime. The total estimated value of the seized goods thus comes to Rs 4.54 lakh.

Police said the combined use of technical evidence and informers' information made it possible to reach the accused in a short time. Police are now looking into other aspects of the case.

The action was carried out under the guidance of Nagpur Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangare Patil, Joint Commissioner of Police Navinchandra Reddy, Additional Commissioner of Police Vasant Pardeshi, Deputy Commissioner of Police Nityanand Jha and Assistant Commissioner of Police Rohit Ovhal. The team included Senior Police Inspector Pravin Kale, Police Inspector (Crime) Karim Pathan, investigation team head Assistant Police Inspector Ajay Jadhav, head constables Ravikumar Sahu and Pradeep Pawar, and constables Mangesh Lohi, Santosh Pande, Anil Jadhav and Praful Gohokar. Pravin Inavate of the cyber cell also assisted in the technical investigation.