Thane traffic cop honoured after dramatic 8-km chase of stolen SUV

Thane Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dumbre (second from left) felicitates traffic constable Ashru Hake. Pics/Ashru Hake

Nearly three weeks after a dramatic chase across Thane, traffic constable Ashru Hake was on Friday honoured for helping recover a stolen Kia Seltos from Karnataka. Thane Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dumbre felicitated Hake with a commendation certificate and cash reward, while Belagavi Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase also recognised his efforts. The incident occurred on May 10 after Thane police received information that a stolen SUV from Karnataka was heading towards the city. Traffic units were immediately alerted.

SUV spotted

The stolen Kia Seltos was spotted near Majiwada by Hake, who was deployed on drunken-driving nakabandi duty near Golden Cross.

Traffic constable Ashru Hake with the food delivery executive whose motorcycle was used during the chase

When Hake tried to stop the SUV, the driver allegedly accelerated, attempted to run him over and sped towards Ghodbunder Road.

"I initially started running behind the SUV, hoping it would slow down because of traffic or a diversion. Unfortunately, it was a Sunday and close to 1 pm - a time when there is very little traffic. Maybe the driver knew that and planned his movement accordingly," Hake told mid-day.

Hake, SUV owner Rahul Jadhav and the Kapurbawdi traffic team after recovery of the stolen vehicle

Just then, he spotted a food delivery executive approaching on a motorcycle. Hake quickly requested the use of the bike for the chase, had the delivery rider sit pillion, and continued pursuing the fleeing SUV.

Filmy chase

The chase continued for nearly 7 to 8 km through Manpada, Patlipada, and Waghbil before reaching the Vijay Garden Metro station area in Kavesar. During the pursuit, the accused allegedly drove recklessly and tried to ram vehicles while escaping.

Near a roadwork stretch where three lanes narrowed into two, the SUV slowed down. Hake got off the motorcycle, ran behind the vehicle and hurled a stone at it near the Vijay Garden signal, shattering the rear windshield. The driver abandoned the SUV and fled.

May 9
Day the car was stolen from Belagavi, Karnataka

Vehicle recovered

Ashru Hake briefly caught hold of the accused, but after a scuffle, the suspect escaped, leaving his shirt behind. "I missed the accused, but I'm glad at least we got the vehicle," Hake later remarked.

Police later confirmed the Karnataka-registered Kia Seltos had been stolen from Belagavi a day earlier.

The SUV belonged to Rahul Jadhav and was one of two vehicles stolen from the area on May 9.

Police suspect the accused planned to move the stolen vehicles to Pune via Thane.

After the first SUV was intercepted, the second stolen vehicle was allegedly abandoned in Thane. Both vehicles were eventually recovered with the help of GPS tracking system.