Thane traffic cops trace Rs 1 crore worth of stolen vehicles during routine check

THANE: In a year-long crackdown, the Thane City Traffic Branch recovered 15 stolen vehicles worth nearly ₹1 crore, including a luxury Audi car and an expensive Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

The traffic officer said the operation was carried out between January 1 and December 9, 2025, during routine traffic inspections. All seized vehicles and arrested suspects were handed over to the respective police stations, officials said.

The Thane Police Commissionerate covers Thane, Dombivli, Kalyan, Vitthalwadi, Ulhasnagar, Ambernath, Badlapur, and Bhiwandi. Across this jurisdiction, 18 traffic units operate under 35 police stations. These teams regularly conduct checks to enforce traffic rules and curb violations. During inspections this year, our traffic personnel detected 15 stolen vehicles, including one Audi, one Harley-Davidson, ten two-wheelers, and four autorickshaws, said a police officer.

The traffic police said it was on November 13, 2025, that traffic personnel in Ulhasnagar intercepted a high-end Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Traffic Constable Vishnu Shinde and Warden Naresh Dalvi were regulating traffic near Jawahar Hotel when they noticed three youths riding a motorcycle without a number plate toward Forward Line Chowk.

When asked to halt, the trio rammed the vehicle into the constable and fled toward Ambernath. Using the chassis number, the police traced the registration details and owner. The motorcycle, valued at around ₹3.5 lakh, was found to belong to Kunal Keni of Mulund. The vehicle has since been handed over to the Navghar police station.

“During traffic regulation, our personnel also verify vehicle documents. These checks often feel inconvenient or troublesome to motorists. However, every rider must carry a helmet, valid licence, and all relevant vehicle papers to avoid difficulties during inspections,” said Pankaj Shirsat, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Thane Traffic Department.