Bhiwandi cops nab gang of truck thieves

The Bhiwandi police has recently nabbed a gang who stole trucks and dumpers and resold them after changing the chasis and the engine number, recovering 20 vehicles worth Rs 3.50 crore. The gang was operational in three states — Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh— and mostly picked up vehicles parked on roads.  

The police have said that some Regional Transport Office (RTO) agents and another officer was involved with the gang and its dubious trade. The main perpetrator has been identified as Ali Hussain Shaikh from Bhiwandi. During the investigation, the cops found that the 15-member gang had stolen 34 trucks and dumpers from Maharashtra and Gujarat.  

According to the police, the gang functioned in a well-coordinated manner. While five members would steal the unattended roadside vehicles with the help of duplicate keys and  change the chasis and engine number, another two RTO agents and the official from Nagpur (rural) RTO would get the fake papers made to register the vehicles in Buldhana and Nandurbar. Subsequently, another two would sell the vehicles. In the past one year, the gang had stolen 34 vehicles of which 14 are yet to be found, said investigation officer Sandeep Nigade.

MODUS OPERANDI

• Five members would steal the unattended roadside vehicles with the help of duplicate keys and  change the chasis and engine number
   
• Two RTO agents and another official would get the fake papers of the vehicles made and register them in either  Buldhana or Nandurbar
   
• Subsequently, two others would then sell the vehicles