NEW DELHI: A gang of car thieves, including two mechanics, has been arrested for stealing 100 vehicles in 10 months from upscale areas in Delhi. The accused specifically targeted high-demand models such as Maruti Brezza, Hyundai Creta, and Toyota Fortuner.
High-Tech Theft Operation
The gang, identified as Ravi, Monu, and Vishal, used walkie-talkies to coordinate their thefts and tampered with the on-board diagnostic (OBD) system to disable security features, allowing them to steal a vehicle within five to seven minutes. They then sold the stolen cars to buyers in Haryana and Punjab.
Their operation came to an end when they were caught in Suraj Vihar, Dwarka.
Police Investigation and Arrest
Authorities tracked the gang by analyzing theft patterns, CCTV footage, and location data. The criminals typically operated early in the morning, targeting vehicles parked near parks and gyms.
During the arrest, police recovered a stolen white SUV. Upon verifying its engine and chassis numbers, it was confirmed to be stolen from Prashant Vihar.
The following items were seized from the accused:
- Multiple stolen number plates
- Walkie-talkie sets
- Drill machine and other theft tools
History of Crimes & Recoveries
- Ravi was involved in 48 previous cases, Monu in 23, and Vishal in 14, all within Delhi.
- Five stolen SUVs were recovered.
- Two of the accused were mechanics, using their expertise to bypass security systems.
- Ravi, previously a property salesman, turned to auto theft after his business collapsed. He later formed a gang with family members to steal and sell high-end cars.
Police are now investigating the buyers and receivers of the stolen vehicles to crack down on the broader car theft network.
