Rickshaw Theft Racket Busted in Malad: Two Arrested, Used Scrapped Plates to Evade Detection

Mumbai, July 10: In a significant breakthrough, the Kurar Police in Malad East have uncovered a well-organized auto-rickshaw theft racket, arresting two habitual offenders who used scrapped number plates to keep their activities under the radar. The accused, identified as Mohammad Muslim Tahir Ansari (40) and Nisar Idu Ahmed (53), were nabbed following a targeted operation based on CCTV footage and inputs from local informants.

The crackdown comes in the wake of multiple complaints from rickshaw drivers and residents in Malad East, who had reported a spike in auto-rickshaw thefts in recent months. In response, Kurar Police formed a dedicated investigation team, which managed to apprehend the duo through a planned trap set up in the area.

During interrogation, the accused disclosed a crafty method of operation. They would steal rickshaws and replace the number plates with those from scrapped or decommissioned vehicles, allowing them to bypass traffic surveillance systems and police database checks. This strategy rendered the stolen vehicles virtually untraceable on city roads.

Police have so far recovered seven stolen rickshaws from their possession. Preliminary investigations reveal that the accused were renting out the vehicles for Rs 200 to Rs 300 per day, posing as legitimate owners. This illicit operation provided them with a steady source of illegal income.

Authorities are probing whether the accused disposed of other stolen vehicles as scrap, a tactic that would further complicate tracing efforts. Police suspect that more individuals may be linked to this racket and have widened the scope of the investigation to uncover the full extent of the network.

A senior police official from Kurar station said, “Their technique was simple but effective. By using discarded number plates, they managed to circulate stolen rickshaws without detection. We are now tracking any further links and vehicles that may have been sold or used elsewhere.”

The arrests mark a crucial step in curbing vehicular thefts in the suburbs, with authorities urging the public and rickshaw unions to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly.