Bhubaneswar: The Mayurbhanj police have unearthed a major vehicle theft racket with the arrest of five persons and the recovery of 41 stolen motorcycles and a car, police said on Thursday.
The breakthrough came during the investigation of Baripada Sadar police station case No. 263 dated December 23, 2025, registered under Sections 303(2), 317(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
According to the police, a special team from Baripada Sadar police station apprehended two key accused, identified as Gobinda Chandra Singh alias Bapi (25) and Rohidas Singh Habla (23), both residents of Badasahi police station area, from their rented accommodation at Rangamatia near PRM Medical College and Hospital.
During night patrolling on December 23, police detected four stolen vehicles — including one four-wheeler and three two-wheelers, one of which was found in a dismantled condition — along with motorcycle body parts and tools used for dismantling vehicles.
Following sustained interrogation, the accused revealed the existence of a larger racket involved in theft and illegal disposal of stolen vehicles. Acting on their disclosures, police conducted raids at multiple locations and apprehended three alleged receivers of stolen vehicles. They were identified as Shibaji Bagal alias Shiba (23) of Khunta police station area, Basudev Hati alias Bablu (33) of Suliapada, and Bhimeswar Singh alias Bhima alias Renta (21) of Badasahi area.
Subsequent searches led to the recovery of a total of 41 motorcycles and one Hyundai Venue car, suspected to have been stolen from various parts of Mayurbhanj district and neighbouring areas.
Police also seized motorcycle body parts, including a tyre, a number plate and dismantled components, along with tools such as cutters and screwdrivers used in committing the offences. Six mobile phones were also confiscated during the operation.
Investigating Officer Aditya Prasad Jena, Inspector-in-Charge of Baripada Sadar police station, said several cases of property offences registered at different police stations have been linked to the gang. Efforts are underway to ascertain the involvement of other suspects and trace the origin of the recovered vehicles.
Further investigation into the case is in progress.
