Pune: In a dramatic police chase, officers from the Mahalunge Police Station thwarted an ATM robbery and recovered ₹10.52 lakh in stolen cash after five to six thieves attempted to escape in a Scorpio.

The incident occurred in the early hours at Biradwadi Phata on the Chakan-Ambethan Road, where the culprits had broken into an ATM machine.

The theft took place around 2 a.m., and quick police action followed after constable Holkar received information about the robbery. A black Scorpio jeep, loaded with equipment used for breaking the ATM, was spotted fleeing the scene.

Officers Yuvraj Birajdar and Amol Mate immediately launched a chase after the suspects. Near a brick kiln, the police encountered the thieves, but the suspects rammed their vehicle into the police car and sped away, trying to escape towards Waghjai Nagar Phata.

Additional police officers, including sub-inspector Jitendra Pardeshi, Dattatray Jadhav, and others, set up roadblocks to corner the fleeing thieves. Despite this, the suspects diverted towards Chakan.

Eventually, a narrow lane near Zitrai Mala forced the thieves to abandon the vehicle. The police discovered gas cutters, cylinders, belts for breaking the ATM, and the stolen ₹10.52 lakh inside the abandoned Scorpio. Taking advantage of the darkness, the suspects fled on foot into nearby fields.

Thanks to the quick response and coordination of the police, the stolen cash was recovered. A case has been filed against the suspects, who remain at large.

The operation was successfully led by Police Commissioner Vinoy Kumar Choubey, with senior officers providing guidance throughout the chase.