Inter-State vehicle lifter gang busted, stolen cars worth Rs. 3.5 recovered

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Police apprehended an inter-state gang involved in purchasing stolen four-wheeler vehicles on purpose.

The team recovered a total of 12 brand new four-wheelers worth Rs. 3.5 crores from their possession.

The operation unfolded on Wednesday when the Special Zonal Crime Team of Central Crime Station (CCS) of the Detective Department conducted a vehicle check at Bahadurpura crossroads in Hyderabad.

During the check, they noticed an i-20 car without a number plate heading towards Purana Pul. The CCS Police promptly stopped the vehicle, leading the driver, identified as Lavan Kumar, to attempt an escape. However, the police managed to apprehend him and take him into custody.

Upon questioning, Lavan Kumar confessed that he and his associates had knowingly purchased stolen four-wheeler vehicles. The gang, including Karthik, Shaik Abdullah, Mohd Feroz, Sheik Shahid Ali, Gandhi Shiva Kumar and Mohd Thousif, hatched a plan to buy stolen vehicles through OLX from individuals named Sonu, Saif Ali Khan, and Sayeed. They intended to sell these stolen vehicles to unsuspecting customers at a higher price.

The recovered vehicles include one Hyundai Alcazer, two Toyota Fortuner, a Hyundai Creta, a Hyundai Alcazer Tata Harrier, a Hyundai i20 Asta, a Baleno, a Hyundai i20, an Innova Crysta, and two Hyundai Cretas.

It was revealed during the investigation that 12 property cases had been registered in New Delhi regarding the theft of these vehicles, with an estimated value of Rs. 3.5 crores.

The gang's modus operandi involved purchasing stolen vehicles at a low cost and then reselling them at a higher price to unsuspecting buyers.

The Hyderabad City Police advised the public to thoroughly check and verify vehicle documents before purchasing, urging them to report any suspicious dealings to the police through the emergency number 100.

The Special Zonal Crime Team, CCS, Hyderabad, carried out the successful operation under the supervision of G. Venkateswara Reddy, ACP, EOW Team XI, CCS. The team's efforts, including D. Bikshapathi, the Inspector of Police, and several SIs and HCs, were instrumental in the busting of this inter-state vehicle theft gang.