Three held with four stolen vans
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 19 2020:
Three members of a gang of vehicle lifters have been apprehended by Imphal West district police along with four stolen vans.
Briefing media persons at City police station this afternoon, SP K Meghachandra said that a dedicated team of the district police has been investigating since the last few days following frequent reports of loss of vehicles from Thangal Kei thel and Paona Keithel.
The team headed by Additional SP (L&O) Th Sangkerdev, SDPO Th Bidyapati and City PS OC M Sudhirkumar mounted strict vigil at both Thangal Keithel and Paona Keithel and they collected CCTV footages from different locations, Meghachandra said.
In the course of the investigation, it was learnt that an unknown gang of vehicle lifters used one Maruti Alto car (MN-06-LA/6827) for their movement.
The car's owner Ksh Victor tor alias Boi (46) s/o Ibohal of Singjamei Chingamakha Kshetri Leikai was pulled up along with the car at around 11.30 pm yesterday, said the SP .
Subsequently, Roshan Yumnam (50) of Singjamei Yumnam Leikai but presently staying at Mahabali Kabui Khul and Mangpu Misao (59) of Sanjenthong Haokip Veng were arrested today.
Acting on the disclosure of Roshan Yumnam and Mangpu Misao, four vans (Maruti EECO) were recovered.
Registration numbers have not been painted on three of them while the fourth one has registration number MN0G/0844 .
The SP informed that all three of them have been remanded to police custody till December 22 .
Talking about their modus operandi, K Meghachandra said that they would drive around in the Maruti Alto car and see where EECO vans were parked.
On seeing any EECO van, they would break open the fuel lock and forged a key using the fuel cap.
The gang is capable of making duplicate keys within 20-30 minutes, said the SP .
After lifting vehicles in such manner, they used to sell the stolen vehicles, said the SP adding that a case has been registered against them at City police station.