Vehicle lifters gang busted, six land in police dragnet

BHOPAL: A six-member state-level gang of vehicle lifters was busted on Monday, which allegedly stole vehicles on order from Bhopal, Raisen, Sehore and Indore and deliver it at Rajgarh. So far, 35 two-wheelers worth Rs 18 lakh have been seized.
Those arrested are Imran, 22, the kingpin and his accomplices Zahid Khan, 21, Ajju Khan, 19, Shokeen Khan, 22, Islam, 21, and Saddam, 20.Saddam hails from Sehore and others are from Rajgarh district.
Three years ago, Imran had bought a two-wheeler from someone who turned out to be a vehicle lifter and two-wheeler was seized from him.
To cover his loss, Irman took to stealing vehicles and gradually more people were associated with him and it turned out to be an organized gang.
The accused are on remand. Recovery of more stolen vehicle is expected as they reportedly told cops they lifted over 50 vehicles. The accused enjoyed fast city lifestyle, police added.
They targeted bikes of Hero and Honda companies as they found it easy to break their locks. On identifying the target, one of them would follow vehicle owner and other would break the lock and escape. After riding bike till it ran out of petrol, accused would leave it in a parking lot and find customers to sell vehicle for anything between Rs 3,000 and Rs 8,000.
They would even sell vehicle on credit to people known to them. Regarding registration papers, accused would customers of giving it later.
Gang was busted after arrest of Imran. Subsequently, other gang members were picked, police said, adding among accused Shokeen Khan worked as agent.
Islam and Saddam would dispose of vehicles and other stolen vehicles.