Gang that stole more than 100 cars busted, two arrested

LUCKNOW: With the arrest of two people in Ghazipur area, Lucknow police on Saturday claimed to have busted a vehicle-lifting gang involved in thefts of over 100 four-wheelers from across the state over the past five years.

The gang also prepared fake registration papers with the help of touts at the road transport office and resold the stolen vehicles.

Sub-inspector (S-I) Ghazipur police station Lokesh Kumar Gautam said the arrested were identified as Sultanpur residents Gaya Prasad alias Gayadeen Gautam and Sadanand. “Six stolen four-wheelers were recovered from different places on their revelation. These included five Mahindra Bolero and Tata Sumo,” he said.

Gautam said the accused revealed that they were involved in vehicle lifting for around five years and had stolen and resold over 100 four-wheelers. “Three more people -- Vinay Gautam, Santosh Asthana and Rajendra Tewari -- are also involved in the racket,” said the S-I.

“Gaya Prasad, Sadanand and Vinay stole the vehicles and then got the fake documents prepared with the help of Santosh and Rajendra who had links with many road transport officials in Sultanpur, Lucknow and other districts,” he added.

Gautam said the thieves’ primary targets were Boleros and Sumos as these were easily resold in rural areas.

“The gang members said they preferred selling stolen vehicles in rural parts, as people were easily convinced about paying a good amount of money,” he said.

The S-I said that efforts were on to arrest the other three gang members and ascertain the identities of the road transport officials who helped the thieves. “More stolen vehicles are likely to be recovered after the arrest of other gang members,” he said.

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More stolen vehicles are likely to be recovered after the arrest of other gang members. LOKESH KUMAR GAUTAM, S-I