Bhubaneswar: The Nayapalli police on Saturday dismantled a three-member gang involved in a series of motorcycle thefts, arresting three individuals and recovering 15 stolen motorcycles of various makes. The police also seized incriminating documents and a bunch of duplicate motorcycle keys from the suspects.
Arrested Individuals
The arrested persons have been identified as Akash Pradhan, 33, a resident of Maitree Vihar; Budhibaman Sahoo, 28, and Ratnakar Sahoo, 41, both from Brahmagiri.
Sophisticated Modus Operandi
Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagmohan Meena stated, "Using a sophisticated method, the gang members used to delete engine and chassis numbers and imprint new numbers. They were also making fake registration certificates. This is a major motorcycle gang arrest, which will help reduce motorcycle theft incidents in the city."
Investigation Details
The police said the arrests followed an investigation into multiple motorcycle theft cases registered at the Nayapalli police station. During the probe, investigators found that the accused, along with associates from areas including Patia, Kaushalyapur, and Routraipur, were part of an organized network that stole motorcycles in the city, altered their identities, and sold them to unsuspecting people outside the state.
Role of the Accused
According to police, Akash and Ratnakar allegedly used duplicate keys to steal motorcycles from different locations in Bhubaneswar and then transported the vehicles to a garage run by Budhibaman Sahoo at Budhakera in Brahmagiri. At the garage, the gang allegedly tampered with the stolen motorcycles by erasing, scratching, and re-punching engine and chassis numbers, and imprinting fake numbers to match other vehicles.
Forged Documents and Sale
The police said the accused procured forged RC (registration certificate) books and smart cards from a vendor in Khurda, prepared documents in favor of stolen motorcycles with fake engine and chassis numbers. The vehicles were then sold to customers with the forged documents.
