Inter-state bike theft racket busted, 2 arrested

Nuapada: Khariar police on Tuesday busted an inter-state bike theft racket and arrested two members of the gang here in Nuapada district.

The six-member gang reportedly operated in the areas under Odisha-Chhattisgarh border and used to sell the stolen motor cycles in the Maoist-prone areas, police sources said.

Around 38 stolen motor cycles have been seized from them, while police have launched a manhunt to nab the other four absconding members, including the kingpin, in connection with the racket.

"This is a six-member gang, of which two have been arrested. And one of the arrested had absconded from the Khariar Jail in 2012. All of them have criminal antecedents and are very active criminals. Their area of operation is Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. Further investigation is on to nab the rest four," said Nuapada SP Smith P Parmar.

Of the seized 38 stolen bikes, 20 owners have been identified till now, added Parmar.