New Delhi, July 10 (IANS) In a major breakthrough against vehicle theft and street crime, the Anti-Auto Theft Squad (AATS) of the South District Police has arrested an auto lifter-cum-mobile thief and recovered one stolen Honda motorcycle along with five stolen mobile phones linked to multiple theft cases across Delhi.

The arrest was made as part of the South District Police’s sustained campaign against auto theft and street crimes.

Acting on specific Intelligence, the AATS team conducted a well-planned operation that led to the apprehension of the accused and the recovery of stolen property, helping police solve six theft cases.

According to Delhi Police, on July 8, the AATS received specific secret information that a habitual offender involved in vehicle and mobile phone thefts would be moving through the South District on a stolen motorcycle. Acting promptly on the tip-off, the police team laid a strategic trap at a suitable location and intercepted a suspicious person riding a Honda motorcycle.

During verification, the motorcycle was found to have been stolen. A thorough search of the accused led to the recovery of five stolen mobile phones concealed in his possession.

The accused was identified as Kasim Khan, son of Alimuddin, a resident of Loni in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. He was immediately taken into custody.

The successful operation was carried out by HC Ishwar, HC Narender, Ct. Ram Dayal and Ct. Ashok under the leadership of Inspector Amit Dutt Sharma, In-Charge of AATS, South District. The operation was conducted under the overall supervision of ACP (Operations) Rituraj.

During sustained interrogation, Kasim Khan allegedly confessed to his involvement in the theft of unattended motorcycles from public places. He disclosed that he used the stolen motorcycles to facilitate mobile phone thefts across different parts of Delhi. The accused further revealed that he disposed of the stolen mobile phones through local receivers in exchange for quick financial gains.

Police verification of the recovered motorcycle and mobile phones established links with multiple theft cases registered at Police Stations R.K. Puram, Mehrauli, Malviya Nagar, Tigri, Fatehpur Beri and Maidan Garhi. All the recovered articles have been seized in accordance with legal procedures.

Investigators are now working to identify the receivers who purchased the stolen mobile phones, trace additional victims and ascertain the accused’s possible involvement in other pending criminal cases.

According to the investigation, the accused primarily targeted unattended motorcycles parked in public places. After stealing the vehicles, he used them to move across crowded markets and public areas, where he allegedly stole mobile phones from unsuspecting victims. To avoid detection by law enforcement agencies, he frequently changed his area of operation. The stolen mobile phones were later sold through local receivers.

Police records reveal that the 25-year-old accused is a habitual offender with an extensive criminal background. He has previously been involved in ten criminal cases registered under various provisions relating to theft, possession of stolen property, the Arms Act and the Gangsters Act.

His previous criminal record includes cases registered at Loni Kotwali Police Station, Karawal Nagar, Sahibabad, Mandawali and Tila Mod Police Stations. These cases involve offences under Sections 379 and 411 of the Indian Penal Code, provisions of the Arms Act, and the Gangsters Act, among others.

The recoveries made during the operation include one stolen Honda motorcycle and five stolen mobile phones. The arrest has also helped police work out six theft cases registered through e-FIRs at Police Stations R.K. Puram, Mehrauli, Malviya Nagar, Tigri, Fatehpur Beri and Maidan Garhi.

Further investigation is underway to identify additional receivers of stolen property, recover more stolen articles and determine whether the accused was involved in other vehicle theft and mobile snatching incidents reported across the city.

–IANS

jk/rad