Nagpur: In a major breakthrough, the Crime Branch Unit 1 of Nagpur Police has dismantled an inter-state vehicle theft racket and recovered 31 stolen two-wheelers worth ₹19.45 lakh. The gang operated by stealing motorcycles from different parts of Nagpur city and selling them at throwaway prices to unsuspecting farmers and laborers in rural Madhya Pradesh.
The crackdown began when police constable Nitin Vasnik (Buckle No. 1305) received a tip-off about a habitual vehicle thief, Rahul Thakre alias Khakre, who had been stealing motorcycles from various police station limits in Nagpur. He would reportedly hand over these stolen vehicles to his brother Dinesh Thakre (alias Khakre), who then sold them at low prices in Satner village, Athner Tehsil, Betul district of Madhya Pradesh.
Acting on this intel, with permission from senior officers, a team from Crime Branch Unit 1 traveled to Betul with government and private vehicles. With assistance from Athner Police Station, they detained Dinesh Thakre from his residence. Upon questioning, he admitted to receiving stolen motorcycles from his brother Rahul and selling them to poor farmers in nearby villages.
Initially, two bikes were recovered from his premises. Further interrogation led to the revelation that Dinesh had sold 15 more stolen bikes in surrounding areas. A total of 17 stolen motorcycles were recovered from his possession.
Based on the information provided by Dinesh, the team traced Rahul Thakre to More Lodge near his home in Pachjhopda, Kalamna, Nagpur. He was found staying there instead of his own house and was taken into custody. Two more stolen bikes were found parked below the lodge, and he later confessed to having sold 12 additional bikes in villages around Nagpur. All 12 were recovered.
In total, 31 stolen motorcycles valued at ₹19.45 lakh were seized from both accused. Further investigation revealed that they were selling these bikes primarily to low-income individuals who were unaware of their stolen status.
The operation was executed under the guidance of Commissioner of Police Dr. Ravinder Kumar Singal, Joint CP Navinchandra Reddy, Additional CP (Crime) Vasant Pardeshi, DCP (Crime) Rahul Makanikar, and ACP Dr. Abhinit Patil. The operation was led by PI Amol Deshmukh of Crime Branch Unit 1.
The arrested accused have been identified as:
- Rahul Sukhchand Thakre (alias Khakre), 43, originally from Satner, Betul (MP), currently residing near Pachjhopda Corporation School, Lane No. 2, Mini Mata Nagar, Kalamna, Nagpur.
- Dinesh Sukhchand Thakre (alias Khakre), 37, resident of Satner, Athner, Betul (MP).
This successful operation was carried out by a dedicated team of police personnel from Unit 1 and supported by the Cyber Team under PSI Vivek Zhingre. Notably, in the month of June alone, Crime Branch Unit 1 recovered 31 stolen bikes, Unit 5 recovered 2, and the Anti-Vehicle Theft Squad seized 10 more, solving a total of 43 vehicle theft cases in Nagpur.
Police urge citizens to verify vehicle documentation before purchasing used two-wheelers, especially from non-verified sellers, to avoid falling prey to such criminal operations.
