Serial flasher nabbed after a brief chase, 2yr harassment saga ends

Nagpur: A 28-year-old gig worker, who has been stalking and flashing at women for nearly two years, was nabbed after a brief chase by Rana Pratap Nagar police early Thursday. Police said the accused, Khomdeo Patle alias Kartik, resident of Jaitala Road, doubled up as a school van driver in the morning while carrying out his obscene pursuits post-midnight.Patle would zip around West Nagpur on a scooter and target women in areas like Ambazari Garden, Hingna Point, Padole Square, Shankar Nagar, Jaitala Road, Somalwada, Sonegaon, IT Park and LAD Square, said police. "He would cover his face with a cloth and ride alongside women while exposing his genitals. He would sometimes intercept his targets. Multiple cases were registered against him at Rana Pratap Nagar, Ambazari and Bajaj Nagar police stations, but he remained elusive to cops," said an official.On March 24, Patle allegedly chased two women in their mid-twenties on Jaitala Road, drove alongside and flashed at them. When they raised an alarm, he fled towards Sim Takli. In another incident near IT Park, he reportedly targeted two women on a scooter in a similar manner.A few days before his arrest, Patle allegedly accosted two women near LAD Square. One of them confronted him, leading to a scuffle during which her clothes were torn before he escaped.Police said sustained efforts over the past two years finally led to a breakthrough. A special team was also formed two months ago under the supervision of zonal DCP Rishikesh Reddy and senior inspector Pankaj Bondse, comprising constables Ankush Kanojiya, Ajay Dhurve, and Pravin Masram. Earlier attempts to nab him, including a decoy operation involving a woman officer, failed as he managed to escape.Investigators eventually identified his scooter based on victims' descriptions. Acting on this clue, the team spotted a masked suspect wearing a black jacket on a scooter. After a short chase, he was intercepted and taken into custody.Patle, who married two years ago, has been booked under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for outraging the modesty of women and other offences. He remains in police custody and will be produced in court.
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