In a storming operation held at the city’s automobile repair and spare parts market in Pudupet on Wednesday, the Chennai Police seized more than 300 engines of motorcycles and 22 two-wheelers that had no valid documents.
Ten persons who were found to be selling these spare parts were arrested and a search is on for two others. Police said the accused were believed to be part of a racket thriving on the sale of stolen motorcycles and parts.
After 240 two-wheelers were reported stolen in the last six months, Commissioner of Police T. Rajendran formed a special team to investigate the complaints. The team raided about 10 shops in Pudupet around 11 a.m. “We seized 335 engines of motorcycles, 20 engines of autorickshaws and 22 two-wheelers in the four-hour operation. It is possible that an inter-State or inter-district gang is involved. Investigation is on into those aspects,” he said.
Mr. Rajendran said motorcycles made of parts dismantled from stolen two-wheelers could be used to commit crimes such as chain-snatching. “It appears that a majority of motorcycles stolen belonged to the ‘Pulsar’ make. Many engines seized appeared to be new or in good condition,” he added.
Asked whether the suspects had sold engines to smugglers or illegal boat operators, Joint Commissioner of Police (Central) V.A. Ravikumar who led the operation said police would conduct investigation on these lines. “We are trying to check if motorcycles manufactured with spare parts (of stolen vehicles) were sold in neighbouring States,” he added.
