‘They stole 500 bikes in 7 years’
Nur Mohammad used to work as a carpenter at a furniture shop in Dhaka's Jurain area. One day, he got introduced to Robin at a tea stall, and from then on, the two started looking for ways to earn some easy money.
At some point in their discussions, they had their "eureka" moment.
As per the plan, they made a special key for Suzuki Gixxer motorbikes, a key that would turn on any bike of that brand. The next course of action is quite obvious -- steal the bikes.
And so, a group was formed to steal motorbikes from the capital and sell them in rural areas of Dhaka's nearby districts. In the last seven years, the gang has stolen at least 500 motorbikes.
Police's detective branch (DB) yesterday disclosed this information after five members, including the ring leader, of the inter-district bike-theft gang were arrested.
The arrestees are ringleader Nur Mohammad, 26, his right-hand man Robin, 23, Sajal, 18, Monir, 22, and Akash, 22.
The latter three were responsible for arranging customers, Mahfuzur Rahman, assistant commissioner of DB (Wari), told The Daily Star.
While investigating two theft cases filed with Wari and Gendaria police stations, police arrested the five from different areas of Dhaka on Tuesday.
For theft, their target locations were crowded places in Sonir Akhra, Gendaria, Jatrabari, Dhalpur, Demra, Wari and Jurain.
Why? Because after stealing bikes, they could quickly escape to nearby districts like Narayanganj and Munshiganj from these spots.
Once the bikes were taken to rural areas, Sajal, Monir and Akash would take pictures of the vehicles and post them in a bike-selling group on Facebook, said the official.
Actual value of the stolen bikes ranges from Tk 2.5 lakh to 4 lakh, but the gang would sell them for Tk 40,000 to 50,000, claiming to customers that they were brought into the country by crossing the Indian border, dodging taxes.
Asked about recovering stolen bikes, Mahfuzur said the gang has stolen at least 500 bikes.
But soon after getting news of gang members' arrest and drives in rural areas, the buyers would hide the bikes in ponds, canals, and even under the bed. And so, it became difficult to locate the vehicles, said the officer.
"But, we are still looking for the stolen bikes," he said.
Of the arrestees, Nur Mohammad is wanted in four cases and Robin in three cases, said Toriqur Rahman, additional deputy commissioner of DB (Wari). The three other arrestees are also accused in a previously filed case, he said.
"We have got names of some other gang members from the arrestees, and a drive is underway to arrest them," he added.
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