Police Crack Down on Interstate Bike Theft Rings Across Karnataka Districts
In a significant breakthrough against organized vehicle theft, Karnataka police have conducted coordinated operations in Kalaburagi and Dharwad districts, leading to multiple arrests and the recovery of stolen motorcycles valued at over Rs 11 lakh. These operations have exposed sophisticated networks operating across district borders and even reaching neighboring states.
Kalaburagi District Operation Nets High-Value Bike Recovery
Kalaburagi Superintendent of Police Addur Srinivasalu addressed reporters on Saturday, detailing a successful operation that led to the arrest of a key accused involved in motorcycle thefts spanning Vijayapura and Kalaburagi districts near the Maharashtra border. The police have seized 18 motorcycles, including two premium Royal Enfield Bullet models, with a total estimated value of Rs 7.4 lakh.
The primary accused has been identified as Sanjay Khemu Chavan, a resident of Badadal Tanda in Afzalpur Taluk. According to police investigations, Chavan had been systematically stealing bikes and then transferring them to an accomplice named Parasurama, also known as Sunil, from Mallabad village in Afzalpur, for subsequent sale in the market.
Acting on specific intelligence, police teams raided Parasurama's shed and successfully recovered all the stolen vehicles. While Parasurama remains absconding, authorities have launched an intensive search operation to apprehend him. The case originated from a formal complaint filed by Bhimaraya Jamadar of Atanur village at the Revur police station regarding the theft of his motorcycle.
This complaint triggered a comprehensive investigation, leading to the formation of a special team under the leadership of Aland DSP Tammaraya Patil, Afzalpur CPI Channaiah Hiremath, and Revur PSI Vatsalya. Police records indicate that eight separate cases have been registered in connection with these bike thefts, and authorities are now working diligently to trace and notify the legitimate owners of the recovered vehicles.
Dharwad Police Bust Multi-District Theft Network
In a parallel development, Sub-urban police in Dharwad have successfully dismantled another organized motorcycle theft ring operating across multiple jurisdictions. Police have arrested two key accused involved in a series of thefts not only within Hubballi–Dharwad but extending to Haveri district and even reaching the coastal state of Goa.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Huvappa Yallappa Asangi, a native of Hubballi, and Pundalik Shivappa Nagannavar. From their possession, authorities have recovered nine motorcycles of various popular brands, with a collective market value of approximately Rs 3.6 lakh.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Prashant Siddanagoudar revealed that this operation was executed under the strategic guidance of senior police officers by a dedicated team led by Police Inspector Prabhu Ganganahalli and Mallikarjun Hosur. The successful crackdown highlights the expanding reach of organized vehicle theft networks and the determined efforts by Karnataka police to curb such cross-border criminal activities.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Investigations
These coordinated police actions across two major Karnataka districts demonstrate a heightened focus on combating organized vehicle theft that transcends administrative boundaries. The recovery of 27 motorcycles worth a combined Rs 11 lakh represents a substantial blow to criminal networks exploiting the border regions between districts and states.
Police authorities have emphasized that investigations remain active, with teams working to uncover the full extent of these theft networks, identify all involved accomplices, and ensure that all recovered vehicles are returned to their rightful owners. The operations also serve as a strong deterrent message to organized crime elements operating in the region.
