In a major breakthrough against vehicle theft, the Ludhiana police have arrested a man from Malerkotla and recovered seven stolen motorcycles from his possession. The accused, identified as Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Malerkotla, was apprehended during a routine check at a checkpoint near the city outskirts. Acting on a tip-off, the police team intercepted him while he was riding a motorcycle without proper registration plates. Upon suspicion, the officers conducted a thorough search and discovered that the motorcycle was stolen. Further interrogation led to the recovery of six more motorcycles from his hideout in Malerkotla.
Details of the Arrest
The police had set up a nakabandi (checkpoint) at the Giaspura area following a series of vehicle theft complaints in the region. Around 10 PM, the accused was spotted trying to evade the checkpoint, which raised suspicions. The police chased and apprehended him. During preliminary investigation, it was found that the motorcycle he was riding had been reported stolen from a residential area in Ludhiana a week ago. The accused initially tried to mislead the police with false documents but later confessed to his involvement in multiple thefts.
Recovery of Stolen Vehicles
Following the arrest, the police team, led by Station House Officer (SHO) Rajinder Singh, conducted a raid at the accused's rented accommodation in Malerkotla. From there, they recovered six more motorcycles, all of which were reported stolen from various parts of Ludhiana, Samrala, and Khanna. The total value of the recovered motorcycles is estimated to be around Rs 5 lakh. The police have also seized tools used for stealing vehicles, including lock breakers and duplicate keys.
Modus Operandi
During interrogation, Gurpreet Singh revealed that he used to target motorcycles parked in unguarded areas, especially during night hours. He would then tamper with the ignition and ride them away. He had a network of buyers in Malerkotla and nearby villages, where he sold the stolen vehicles at cheap rates. The police are now investigating if he was part of a larger gang involved in interstate vehicle theft.
Police Investigation and Legal Action
The Ludhiana police have registered a case under sections 379 (theft) and 411 (dishonestly receiving stolen property) of the Indian Penal Code. The accused has been remanded to police custody for further interrogation. The police are also trying to trace the owners of the recovered motorcycles, many of which have already been identified through their chassis numbers. The SHO confirmed that efforts are on to dismantle the entire network and nab other accomplices.
This arrest has brought relief to many vehicle owners who had lost their motorcycles in recent months. The police have urged citizens to park their vehicles in safe places and install anti-theft devices. They have also advised people to verify documents before purchasing second-hand vehicles to avoid buying stolen property.
