Belagavi Police Crack Major Vehicle Theft Ring, Recover 21 Vehicles Worth Rs 95 Lakh
In a significant breakthrough, the Marihal Police in Belagavi have successfully cracked a series of inter-state and inter-district vehicle theft cases, leading to the arrest of five accused individuals and the recovery of 21 vehicles with an estimated value of Rs 95 lakh. This operation marks a major victory for law enforcement in tackling organized crime in the region.
Details of the Police Operation
According to a release issued by City Police Commissioner Bhushan Borse, the investigation began in November 2025 when a case was registered regarding the theft of a vehicle parked in front of a house near Nilji Cross, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Marihal police station. The police diligently followed the trail of the case, gathering concrete information about a group of thieves who had traveled from outside districts and were professionally engaged in stealing vehicles.
Based on this intelligence, a targeted operation was launched, resulting in the apprehension of the suspects. The accused were identified as Yasuf Khan, 69, from Dharwad; Zakir Hussain Pardevale, 47; Azadi Ibrahim Mutavalli, 36, from Vijayapura; Shafiq Ahmed, 52, from Vellore in Tamil Nadu; and Basir Ahmed Makandar, 38, from Dandeli. This diverse group highlights the inter-district and inter-state nature of the criminal activities.
Recovery of Stolen Vehicles
The police seized a total of 21 vehicles from those arrested, which included 8 goods mini trucks, 7 bikes, and 5 scooters. The recovery of such a large number of vehicles underscores the scale of the theft ring and the effectiveness of the police operation in disrupting their illegal activities.
Cases have been registered in various police stations in connection with these thefts, and legal action is being taken against the accused to ensure they face justice for their crimes. This crackdown is expected to serve as a deterrent to similar criminal enterprises operating in the area.
The successful resolution of these cases demonstrates the commitment of the Belagavi police to maintaining law and order and protecting citizens' property. It also highlights the importance of coordinated efforts and intelligence gathering in combating organized theft rings that span multiple regions.
