Interstate Vehicle Theft Gang Busted in Hazaribag, Linked to Bihar Liquor Mafia

Hazaribag: Six members of an interstate vehicle theft gang allegedly involved in stealing vehicles from Jharkhand and selling those to liquor mafias in Bihar have been arrested during an anti-crime checking drive in the Pelawal outpost area after a white SUV, bearing a Bihar registration number, broke through a barricade at Indrapuri Chowk on Wednesday late night and attempted to flee, police said.The arrested were identified as Ashraf Ali alias Yasrab ali alias Pappu Khan alias Guruji, Vivek Kumar, Vikas Kumar, Jitendra Kumar Mehta, Mohammad Joni, and Shekhraj. Jitendra is a resident of Hazaribag, Vikas from Palamu, from Aurangabad, Rohtas, and Bihar Sharif in Bihar. They have been remanded to judicial custody, police added.ASP Amit Kumar said, “Acting on a tip-off from Lohsinghna police, a team led by Sadar SDPO Amit Anand intercepted the vehicle at a barricade near Gadokhar More. During questioning, the accused allegedly confessed to stealing four-wheelers from Hazaribag and adjoining areas and delivering them to liquor operators in Bihar.”“The gang has been active for long. Probe is under way to trace and arrest other members of the gang,” the Sadar SDPO said.A case was registered under relevant sections of the BNS-2023. A stolen vehicle and five mobile phones were seized from the accused. Four vehicles stolen by the gang have been traced. Hunt is under way for others, police added.