9 inter-district motorbike thieves arrested, 20 bikes recovered

Police today arrested nine inter-district motorbike thieves and recovered 20 stolen motorbikes from different districts in the last two days.

The arrestees are Md Mehedi Hasan (19), Md Mahmudul Hasan (24), Md Shakhawat Hossain alias Rubel (25), Shahadat Hossain Sajjad (27), Md Reaz (32), Md Anwarul Islam Ripon (38), Md Obaidul Kader (42) and Milton Sarkar alias Milton Kumar Shaha alias Sohel (44).

Among them, Milton, Rafiq, and Reaz are the kingpins of the motorbike stealing gang, reports our Chattogram correspondent quoting police.

Police said that the gang stole nearly 1,000 motorbikes across the country and later traded the stolen bikes in different areas.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) (South) Palash Kanti Nath told The Daily Star "Arrested Rafiq and Milton met each other in jail and later organised the syndicate to lift motorbikes. Under the syndicate, over 15 members used to steal bikes in different technics."

"Rafiq and Milton are also professional bike lifters, and during interrogation, the duo admitted that they have stolen around 1,000 motorbikes from different areas in the country over the last seven years," said the ADC.

Assistant Commissioner (AC) (Kotwali Zone) "A team of Kotwali police first held Mehedi and Milton on March 25 night with an unregistered motorcycle without a numberplate from Kadamtali area of the port city."

"Based on Milton's information, police recovered one motorbike from Sitakunda Sadar upazila, seven from Boro Darogar Hat of Sitakunda, two from Feni and one from Ramgar area," told the ADC.

"During the drives, police also arrested Anwar, Obaidul, Mahmudul, and Rubel in this connection," said the ADC.

"After modifying the motorbikes, they used to sell the bike in exchange for Tk 15,000 to Tk 30,000 based on the bike's condition. The stolen motorcycles use to run in remote areas of Khagrachari, Sitakunda, Feni, and other parts where traffic police are not available," said Sub-Inspector (SI) Mominul Hasan of Kotwali police station.

Police were trying to arrest the other accused, police said.