‘Small-time’ gangs keep cops on toes

Joint Commissioner of Police,Ahmedabad,P Satish Sharma said loopholes in the legal system were responsible for proliferation in such thefts.

He added: “Many of the gang members are from broken families; are school dropouts,and in need of fast money. Once they come in the contact of criminals in jails,they are initiated into criminal activity. It is vicious cycle.”

A bicycle gang comprising three jobless brothers from Shahpur used to steal mobile phones from major commercial areas in the city. They were arrested by the city Crime Branch in December with mobile phones worth Rs 2.37 lakh.

According to the police,the members of this gang would often ride on a bicycle and bump it intentionally with other vehicles. One of them would then feign injury and argue with the vehicle owner. Taking advantage of the uproar,the other members would steal the mobile phone from the vehicles. The police said the members sold the stolen mobile phones in the neighbourhood at half the price.

Another gang in the city was formed by three friends who studied together in Dholka. Hitesh,Bhaumik and Keyur used to steal motorcycles parked on the city roads. Later,they would go to remote areas in Saurashtra and Sabarkantha and promise the people to give them motorcycles seized by the banks. They would collect advance money from the villagers without actually giving them anything. On the other hand,they would sell the bikes to small-time automobile stores in Ahmedabad district. They had reportedly received Rs 50 lakh by selling stolen bikes.

The police have also arrested teenagers from Naroda and Kubernagar who had formed a gang to steal valuables from cars. The Naroda police said the gang members also included girls to steal show pieces,boxes,parts of music system and then sell it to scrap dealers. This gang had robbed nearly 40 cars in the city i the last three months.