Pune: The Dehu Road police are looking for a jeweller and his son who are currently on the run after allegedly cheating 41 residents of approximately Rs 27 lakh. Over the past two years, the duo reportedly collected gold jewellery from customers under the pretext of repairs or crafting new ornaments, only to shut their shop and abscond with the valuables.The matter came to light after a 46-year-old resident of Dehu Road lodged a formal complaint. According to the police, the complainant had been a regular customer of the shop, which had been operating in the Dehu Road market for the last five years.In January this year, the complainant visited the shop to have a gold chain repaired. The jeweller and his son suggested that he instead exchange the old chain for a new one.“The complainant left his jewellery with them. When he returned a few days later, the jeweller assured him the new chain would be ready within two to three days. However, on Jan 31, the complainant found the shop shuttered and the jeweller’s mobile phone switched off,” a police officer said. Upon visiting the suspects’ residence, the complainant was informed by neighbors that the entire family had vacated the flat two days prior.Since the initial complaint, a total of 41 residents have approached the police with similar grievances. Investigations reveal a consistent pattern where the duo took gold but never returned the finished products.“The duo fled with a total of 627 grams of gold, valued at approximatelyRs27 lakh. We have received 41 applications against the suspects so far and are actively searching for them,” the officer added.
