Gang of auto thieves busted, 3 held

Tribune News Service

Kotkapura, May 26

With the arrest of three persons, including their kingpin Mandeep Singh of Chheharta (Amritsar), the Kotkapura police have busted a gang of auto-lifters and snatchers involved in around 12 cases of auto-theft and snatching.

The police recovered 20 vehicles worth over Rs 30 lakh from the gang on Sunday. The vehicles included nine cars of different companies, three sports models of Bullet motorcycle, four Activa scooters and four motor cycles.

The police have arrested Mandeep Singh and Sarabjit Singh, alias Chhaba, both residents of Chheharta (Amritsar), who were at present staying in Kotkapura and Vishal, alias Mangu, of Kotkapura.

The gang members were used to sell the stolen vehicles by changing their registration and chassis numbers.

The gang would procure the registration and chassis numbers of the vehicles, which were damaged in road accidents. The registration and chassis numbers were changed with those of stolen vehicles and the ownerships of the vehicles were changed.

“The accused have confessed to their involvement in around 12 cases of auto-lifting and snatchings,” said Sanjiv Kumar, SHO, Kotkapura, adding that they were further investigating the matter.

A case under Sections 379, 379-B, 411, 420, 465, 467, 482 and 120-B of the IPC has been registered.