DB arrests 8 members of a motorbike theft gang from Dhaka, Cumilla

Police's Detective Branch (DB) claims to have arrested eight members of an organised motorbike theft gang by conducting special operations in different areas of Dhaka and Cumilla.

According to DB officials, the criminals first do recce and make a list of houses that don't have security guards.

They break locks and start the bike, using battery wire, said Razib Al Masud, deputy commissioner of DB Lalbagh Division, who coordinated the drive to arrest the gang.

DB police identified the arrestees as Abul Kalam Azad, Md Rubel, Sagar Mia alias Bahani, Md Babu, Md Afzal Hossain, Rashedul Islam alias Russel, Md Faruk Hossain and Helal Hossain.

On information, a police team conducted drive in Madhubagh and Hatirjheel areas in Dhaka and arrested six members of the gang and recovered five stolen bikes from their possession on Tuesday, DC Razib Al Masud told The Daily Star.

Getting information from the arrestees, the police team conducted a drive in Cumilla and arrested two others and recovered 12 stolen bikes from their possession, he said.

"Sometimes, the gang members start working as security guards at the targeted houses and then steal bikes when they get the scope," he said.

After stealing bikes, the group sends them to different districts for sale.

"When selling the stolen bikes, the gang said that these were brought into the country through the border," said the DC.

Sometimes, they sold these bikes, saying that they collected them from customs auction and make fake auction certificates and documents, he added.

A case has been filed with Hatirjheel Police Station.

During primary interrogation, the arrestees said they drove the stolen vehicles themselves and used to sell them in Chandpur, Noakhali and Comilla districts.

"We have come to know that this gang has been involved with this crime for the last 10 years. During interrogation, the arrestees admitted to stealing over a thousand motorbikes," said Madhusudan Das, Assistant Commissioner DB Lalbagh Division.