Pune: A series of sandalwood thefts continues to plague Pune, with the latest incident occurring on Prabhat Road, where armed thieves broke into a bungalow and stole a sandalwood tree.

The theft, reported to the Deccan Police Station, is part of an alarming trend of similar crimes across the city.

The complainant, who lives with her family in Bharti Niwas Colony on Prabhat Road near the Old Karnataka School, was startled awake late Saturday night (August 10) when she heard noises in the bungalow.

Upon investigating, she discovered seven to eight thieves cutting down a sandalwood tree in the yard with saws. When she raised an alarm, the thieves threatened her and her family with weapons, warning them of dire consequences.

The thieves successfully cut down and made off with the sandalwood tree. The terrified woman immediately informed the police. Deputy Commissioner of Police Sandeep Singh Gill and Assistant Commissioner of Police Sainath Thombre visited the scene.

Police have obtained CCTV footage from the area and are tracking the suspects, who remain at large. Sub-Inspector Shelke is leading the investigation.

The city has seen a surge in sandalwood thefts over the past year, with trees being stolen from government offices, educational institutions, bungalows, and society premises. Despite the increase in incidents, police have struggled to apprehend the culprits.

A month before, a sandalwood tree located at the Central Beekeeping Training and Research Institute on Fergusson College Road was cut and stolen by thieves.