Bhubaneswar: In two separate breakthroughs, the Commissionerate Police have busted two bike theft gangs operating in Odisha’s capital, arresting three persons and recovering 21 motorcycles from them.
The miscreants stole bikes from the parking areas near parks, markets, offices and hospitals.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Prateek Singh informed the Capital Police has recovered 15 bikes, 20 duplicate keys, and one mobile phone from Rakesh Kumar Nayak, a 20-year-old man who sold momos. Nayak hails from G. Udayagiri in Kandhamal district and lived in Unit-8, Bhubaneswar.
“He sold momos and whenever he got an opportunity he also stole bikes. We are yet to ascertain whether he stole the bikes of his customers or from other places,” he said
The Capital Police arrested Nayak based on a complaint by Rajesh Kumar Patra of Gonasiaka village under Kanjipani police limits in Keonjhar district. His Yamaha FZ Motorcycle was stolen by Nayak from Forest Park parking place on January 27.
A case registered against Nayak under Section 379 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been altered to Section 379/413 of IPC. He has been sent to judicial custody.
In another breakthrough, the Pahala Police arrested two persons, Rajendra who stole the bikes, and Kanha, who received the bikes from him. Six bikes were confiscated from them.
Police said the miscreants targeted old bikes that had a fault in the lock or had a single lock. “The bikes will be handed over to the rightful owners,” informed Singh and added that some people who forgot to lock their bikes were also the soft targets of these bike thieves.
No links have been found between the two gangs yet.