Inter-state racket busted; 50 stolen bikes seized

Raichur: Police in Sindhanur taluk recovered 50 stolen motorcycles worth Rs 35.2 lakh and arrested five in what they said is the biggest such seizure in the subdivision.The breakthrough came while probing the Jan 30 theft of one Hanumanagouda’s Royal Enfield motorcycle. The network allegedly targeted motorcycles parked outside houses at night and sold them across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.Police identified the arrested accused as Channabasava Hugar, Raghavendra and Maheboob of Maski, who allegedly stole the motorcycles, and Rafeeq and Mahammad Lal of Andhra Pradesh, who allegedly purchased them. Efforts are on to trace two more suspects.Of the recovered motorcycles, 15 were linked to Maski, six to Kavital, five to Lingsugur, four to Sindhanur Rural, two each to Balaganur, Sirwar, Mudgal and Turvihal, one to Hutti, and 11 to police stations in other districts.The operation was led by Balaganur sub-inspector Yariyappa under circle inspector Vinayak, with guidance from senior district police officers. Police said the seizure surpassed Yariyappa’s previous recovery of 27 stolen motorcycles last year. SP Arunangshu Giri commended the team and urged vehicle owners to remain vigilant.