Malappuram, 21 July (H.S.):The Valanchery Police have arrested a three-member gang allegedly involved in stealing motorcycles and vehicle batteries from multiple districts in Kerala and selling them in different parts of the State.

The accused have been identified as Vishnu (20), who was staying on rent at Aripra near Perinthalmanna, Nithin Das (21) of Kuttippuram, and Rijin Das (22) of Thavanur. Police said the trio is suspected of carrying out a series of thefts in Malappuram, Thrissur and Kozhikode districts over the past several weeks.

The arrests followed an intensive investigation launched after repeated complaints of motorcycle and vehicle battery thefts from Kottarath and Kulamangalam in the Valanchery area. Acting on the directions of Tirur DySP A.M. Siddique, a special team led by Valanchery Inspector Anand Babu, comprising personnel from the Tirur DANSAF unit and the Valanchery Police Station, tracked down and apprehended the suspects.

According to the police, the gang stole several motorcycles and vehicle batteries last month from Kuttippuram, Thavanur, Ayankalam, Peramangalam in Thrissur district and Koothattukulam in Kottayam district. Investigators said the stolen property was later sold through buyers in Tirur, Ponnani and Pattambi.

Police believe the accused were operating an organised theft network targeting parked vehicles in residential and public areas. Further investigation is under way to determine whether the trio was involved in similar offences reported in other districts.

Officials also revealed that Rijin Das has previous criminal cases registered against him in Thrissur district and Tirur, indicating a history of similar offences.

Inspector Anand Babu said the police would seek the custody of the accused for detailed interrogation to recover additional stolen property, identify possible receivers of the stolen goods and ascertain whether more people were involved in the racket.

The investigation was carried out by officers of the Tirur DANSAF team and the Valanchery Police.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman