Serial automobile theft offender arrested, bikes worth ₹2.9 lakh seized

A 47-year-old man accused of a string of two-wheeler thefts across the city was arrested by the Langer Houz police on Saturday (May 24). Five stolen motorcycles valued at nearly ₹2.9 lakh were seized.

The accused, identified as Vartiya Gopal alias Tawariya, a labourer involved in decoration work at Gudimalkapur flower market. The arrest follows a complaint by Syed Khaja, a resident of Santhosh Nagar on May 23 stating that his motorcycle had gone missing from Ramalayam Ground in Langer Houz on May 5. Acting on this complaint, police booked a case and initiated a search. While patrolling near Ramalayam Temple in Bapu Ghat, the police noticed Gopal. When approached, the accused attempted to flee but was arrested. Upon interrogation, Gopal confessed to stealing several motorcycles across different parts of the city.

The police said that Gopal targeted crowded areas such as bus stops, temples, metro stations, temples and wine shops, exploiting moments when vehicles were left unattended. Using a duplicate master key, he would steal the motorcycles and sell them at cheap prices to fund his vices.

The accused was found to be involved in six separate cases in 2025 alone, four of which were registered at Langer Houz police.

Published - May 24, 2025 07:29 pm IST