Bike Thief Held, 22 Motorcycles Recovered

The Uppal police, while performing vehicle checking on the evening of July 13, found a person moving on a stolen Activa under suspicious circumstances at V T Kaman, Uppal, and stopped the vehicle. When questioned he revealed his identity and confessed that he had committed 22 automobile offences.

The person was identified as Vangala Raju, 19, a lighting worker residing in Eatoor Nagaram of Suryapet district. He was arrested and property worth Rs 13,50,000 recovered.

Raju confessed to theft of 13 motorcycles in Uppal, one in Kushaiguda, one in Medipally, one in L B Nagar, one in Ghatkesar, one in Chilpur of Warangal, two in Kazipet and two in Bhongir.

Raju's modus operandi was to roam on the roads on different type of motorcycles. He would come to the city in the night and search for motorcycles parked at bus stands and Metro stations, and after monitoring the surroundings and in the absence of security guards, commit the thefts by using false keys. He would then sell the stolen vehicles to Eatoor Nagaram villagers claiming that he was working at a private finance company as an agent.

Raju studied up to 8th standard, and started doing lighting work at Nagole, L B Nagar, and earned Rs 12,000 per month. He was addicted to some vices and started committing offences to meet his expenses.

The crime team of the Uppal police station nabbed him.