Noida police have dismantled an interstate vehicle theft racket responsible for stealing approximately 60 luxury cars from showrooms and service centres across the region, with the vehicles subsequently sold in northeastern states. Two members of the gang were arrested on Saturday, according to officials.
Gang's Modus Operandi and Security Exploitation
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Manisha Singh stated that the gang followed a meticulous procedure and exploited security loopholes, making detection and apprehension challenging. The gang conducted multiple reconnaissance missions to select target showrooms. Once a target was chosen, they performed surveillance and studied the security arrangements, particularly focusing on the guard room where car keys were stored. They would identify times when the guard room was left unattended, sneak in, and steal the keys.
“Once they obtained the keys, they would steal the vehicles and quickly move them out of the region using their network in multiple different states,” Singh explained.
Transport and Sale Network
Jaydeep Malik, Sector 60 chowkidar in charge and the officer leading the operation, elaborated: “The accused transported stolen vehicles through dealers operating near the Assam border before selling them in Mizoram and Tripura.” To evade police tracing, the gang tampered with engine and chassis numbers.
Arrests and Seized Vehicles
On Saturday, police arrested Neeraj Sharma and Ajay Sarkar near Khargosh Park in Sector 54. An illegal country-made pistol and a live cartridge were recovered from Sharma’s possession. Following the arrests, three vehicles were seized: a modified Mahindra Thar, a Hyundai Creta, and a Ford EcoSport, which had not yet been smuggled to the northeast. The Thar was stolen from outside the Concept Mahindra showroom in Sector 59 a day prior, while the Creta was stolen from Delhi in 2023.
Ongoing Investigation
Officials stated that further investigation is underway to identify other network members and trace additional stolen vehicles linked to the gang. Police are also examining the role of dealers and intermediaries involved in transporting and selling the stolen vehicles in the northeastern states.
