Bike thieves on prowl, Jamshedpur police arrest key member of inter-state gang

Jamshedpur: Bistupur police bust an inter-state gang of vehicle-lifters by arresting a key member of the gang beside recovering two stolen motorcycles on Sunday. The arrested person was identified as Sheikh Murshied alias Sheikh Anwar, a resident of Mosabani in Ghatsila sub-division.

Deputy superintendent of police (Composite Control Room) Arvind Kumar said Anwar who was leading an inter-state gang of vehicle-lifters was caught while trying to steal a bike at Bistupur area on Sunday.

“When questioned, Anwar (28) who is a resident of Mosabani revealed that he and his gang-members had stolen two bikes from Bistupur area in January this year.  He also divulged that he had sold out the stolen bikes in Burdwan district in West Bengal with the help of some of the gang members based in Burdwan district,” said Kumar.

The DSP (CCR) said that Anwar and his associates are professional vehicle lifters and follow a modus operandi by keeping a watch on the parked vehicles at public places and the owners of the vehicles through a network of gang members.

Despite claims from police the staggering rise in the number of vehicles stolen in past few months, have shocked the city.

A sudden spurt in cases of vehicle theft coupled with a terribly low workout rate reflects poorly on the ability of the police to crack down on such gangs.

According to reports, of all the vehicles lifted bikes have been the target of criminals. Cases of thefts have been reported mostly from police station areas of Bistupur, Sakchi, Jugsalai, Golmuri and Telco.

The citizens blame weak anti-theft measures and police patrolling for the sharp increase in the incidents of crime. They say only the common man is the ultimate victim, in case of loss of life or property. The increase in the crime is alarming, keeping in view the temporary solutions the district police find to the problem. It is very rare that the owner of a car or bike gets traced by his vehicle.

Though the police claim to have pulled their socks up and increased their beat patrolling, the citizens are not ready to accept the claims.

Many people are of the view that beat patrolling is intensified only when people complain to the officers. The constables are seen on the road just for two days. On the third day, they are back to their usual business.

A police official said that they have taken measures like night patrolling and installation of barricades where police officials keep strict vigilance.

“Motor vehicles get stolen for a host of reasons. In several cases the stolen vehicles are dismantled and their parts are sold off as spare parts or built into new vehicles. But mostly the vehicles are stolen and resold to unsuspecting customers in West Bengal and Bihar,” said a senior police officer.

On motorcycles being targeted the most, the officer said a lack of effective security system makes them an easy target. “A two-wheeler can be stolen just by unlocking it with a duplicate key. Moreover, selling a stolen motorcycle in the scrap market is easier compared with selling a stolen car or a heavy vehicle. Also, hiding a two-wheeler is easier,” the officer said.