After the ATM theft in Kasarwadi a fortnight ago, the oldest shop on the Pune-Mumbai highway was burgled on Sunday night. Vividh Bharati Departmental stores, which was set up over 40 years ago by late freedom fighter Nainsukh Nahata, was looted by a gang sometime after midnight and 4 am on Sunday. Like in the case of ATM theft, the Bhosari police have been left groping in the case.

The shop is located at Vishal Residency and right on the highway. It is located not very far away from the Union Bank of India ATM that was stolen lock, stock and barrel over 15 days back. The thieves used a car-jack to remove the shutter of the shop and steal cellphones, vouchers and other material estimated to be around Rs one lakh. Owners Dushyant and Rohit Nahata said they were still counting the losses and are yet to arrive at a figure. "It seems that somebody who knows the shop well is behind the incident," said Rohit Nahata.

Just a day before Sunday's incidents, the thieves had apparently tried to remove the shutter of the shop but failed to do so. However, next day they struck with impunity. "After Friday night's failed attempt, we had put centralised locking system and strenthened the shutter so that it could not be broken into. However, all efforts went in vain," he said.

Police said the theives snapped the power connection and also the wires of the CCTV installed at the shop. "This clearly indicates that somebody who knows the shop inside out has carried out the plan," a police officer said. Though there are 80 shops and scores of falts, the Vishal Residency does not have watchman. Shopkeepers say there is no unity among them and that's they have not been able to put in place watchman.

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