Nagpur: Man held for bike thefts, changed look and number plates of stolen vehicles

Panchpaoli police in Nagpur have arrested a man in a vehicle theft case. According to the police, the accused would first scout an area in a car and then steal a two-wheeler. Property worth about Rs 3 lakh has been seized in the operation.

It has emerged that the stolen vehicles were dented and repainted to change their appearance, and their number plates were also replaced. This was reportedly done to evade the police. The identity of the stolen vehicles was being concealed in this manner.

The arrested accused is Zeeshan Abdul Habib Sheikh, 25, a resident of Ashi Nagar. He was arrested by Panchpaoli police and is charged with vehicle theft.

The police said that during patrolling, the accused was seen riding a two-wheeler near Vaishali Nagar Garden. Suspicious of him, the police questioned him. On closer questioning, he reportedly admitted to stealing two-wheelers from the Panchpaoli and Shantinagar areas.

The police investigation found that Zeeshan would first scout the area in a car. He would then take away a two-wheeler as soon as he got the chance. The police say the stolen vehicles were dented and repainted to change their colour and appearance, and their number plates were also replaced, to hide their identity.

According to the police, the accused is addicted to alcohol and committed the thefts for that reason. From the places he pointed out, the police seized two two-wheelers and a car, together worth about Rs 3 lakh.

Panchpaoli police are currently interrogating the accused. The police suspect the questioning may help solve some more vehicle theft cases.