The Chauliaganj police in Cuttack city busted a gang of truck-lifters by apprehending five of its operatives from Bidyadharpur area on Friday.
The police also seized Rs 5.4 lakh cash from the accused persons. On the basis of leads ferreted out from the accused, the cops raided a garage at Trishulia and seized truck body parts, instruments used for dismantling the stolen trucks.
The arrested persons have been identified as Sunil Parida, Pratap Pradhan, Rajendra Kumar Naik, Gouranga sahu and Babu Khan. After stealing a truck, the gang members would seek the help of a professional cutter to dismantle the vehicle. Thereafter, the dismantled parts would find their way to scrap dealers. From a single truck, they would earn anything between Rs 1.6-2 lakh.
Informing about the modus operandi of the gang, DCP, Cuttack, Prateek Singh said that the gang was carrying out its operation in a professional way. “They would generally keep a track of ten-wheeler and Hyva trucks (dumpers) and hijack the marked vehicles parked at isolated locations. They have committed crimes in 13 districts. We are trying to find out the locations where they carried out their operation. Various police stations have been asked to submit reports of truck loot case, if any registered in their respective jurisdiction,” Singh said.
He said so far the police have confirmed about 12-15 trucks which had been stolen by the gang. After stealing, they would take the vehicles to a professional cutter who owns a garage at Trishulia. He would help them dismantle the vehicles. “Similarly, there are certain persons who would buy the dismantled spare parts. Babu Khan is one such person who used to purchase truck wheels from them,” Singh added.
The arrested accused persons were produced in a court latter in the day.
A detailed investigation is underway, Singh said.