In a significant breakthrough, the Bapatla district police in Andhra Pradesh have dismantled a serial bike theft operation, arresting three individuals and recovering a substantial cache of stolen property. The police action on Sunday led to the recovery of 37 stolen two-wheelers with a total value of Rs 21.2 lakh.
Intensified Operation Yields Results
This successful crackdown is part of a district-wide police initiative aimed at curbing the rising incidence of two-wheeler thefts. Concerned by the surge in cases, Superintendent of Police B Uma Maheshwar constituted two dedicated special teams to spearhead the investigation.
These teams, led by CCS DSP P Jagadish Nayak and CCS CI Premaiah, employed a combination of technological analysis and ground-level intelligence. By meticulously examining CCTV footage from various locations and coordinating field inputs, the officers were able to track down the accused and solve a series of theft cases reported across Bapatla district.
The Accused and Their Modus Operandi
The police have identified the arrested individuals as Kagga Sambasiva Rao (32) from Pottur village in Guntur district, and Dasari Gopiraju (32) and Dasari Durga Rao (24), both natives of Burlavaripalem who were currently residing at Gandhinagar Yanadi Sangam in Chirala.
According to the investigation, the trio operated in a systematic manner. They primarily targeted unsecured two-wheelers parked in busy localities, taking advantage of the crowds and lack of attention. Sambasiva Rao was apprehended in Bapatla, while Gopiraju and Durga Rao were taken into custody from Chirala.
Major Recovery and Public Advisory
From the possession of the arrested thieves, the police successfully seized all 37 stolen motorcycles and scooters. SP Uma Maheshwar revealed that this bust was part of a highly productive week for the district police, who managed to recover a total of 60 stolen bikes worth approximately Rs 40 lakh during their intensified anti-theft drive.
Highlighting the importance of preventive measures, the SP urged the public to take basic steps to secure their vehicles. He specifically advised owners to install additional safety locks and GPS tracking devices.
"People invest lakhs of rupees in purchasing their vehicles but often overlook simple security features. These inexpensive measures can significantly reduce the chances of becoming a victim of theft," SP Uma Maheshwar stated, emphasizing proactive prevention.
