|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 22 February 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Car theft racket: Police blows lid Crime Sunday by JAYAMPATHY JAYASINGHE Police have blown the lid off a big racket involving the theft of luxury vehicles from Colombo by a gang specialising in disposing of such vehicles to unsuspecting customers. Their modus operandi was to alter the chassis and engine numbers and the registration certificates before selling them as used vehicles. The racket had been in existence for some time with several vehicle buyers falling prey to the racketeers ploy. Colombo Crime Division (CCD) officers who have recovered several stolen vehicles are probing whether luxury vehicles have been sold to clients in the North and East. The stolen vehicles include luxury models like Pajero-Intercoolers, Toyota, Nissan and other models. Director Colombo Crime Division (CCD) SSP Sarth Lugoda has requested those who lost their vehicles to check with the CCD for more information. Meanwhile, acting on a tip off, the detectives of the CCD raided a house at Maligawatte and arrested a man suspected to be involved with the theft of vehicles. What attracted the policemen were the bunch of keys in his possession. After being questioned the man admitted to having stolen several vehicles from car parks in Colombo by using improvised car keys and special tools. Police found the improvised tools in the house. The thief had told police that any locked car can be opened within minutes with his improvised keys and tools. The suspect was employed as a chauffeur cum car thief by a man who ran a business selling used vehicles. Being a heroin addict, he needed Rs.1500 per day to keep his drug habit alive, police said. Meanwhile, the mastermind businessman whom the police want to question had fled from his home. Several CCD sleuths have been detailed to track his movements. His brother, who had returned to Sri Lanka after a stint in the USA had joined the car sales business. On a tip off CCD sleuths visited his car sales outlet in Matale and recovered five stolen vehicles. The man was thereafter arrested and brought to Colombo for further questioning. But he denied any knowledge of his brother's involvement with stolen vehicles. Police have altogether recovered 10 vehicles stolen from the Colombo city. They expect more stolen vehicles are to be recovered soon. A vehicle used by a Major in the Sri Lanka army was stolen by the same car thieves while it was parked at the BMICH, some time ago. The major after attending a function at the BMICH was shocked to discover his car stolen from the car park. Although he lodged a complaint at the Cinnamon Gardens police the car was never found. However a part of that vehicle was recovered by the CCD officers recently. "We have reasons to believe the car was dismantled and sold in parts. We are making every attempt to recover the balance portions of the Vehicle," Director, Sarath Lugoda said. In an another incident, a car that was stolen at gunpoint in Piliyandala some time ago, has also been recovered. SSP, Lugoda warned the public to check the authenticity of engine and chassis numbers of used vehicles before purchasing them. "It has been found that racketeers often dispose stolen vehicles by advertising them in the newspapers. Usually they tamper with the engine and chassis numbers but due to negligence buyers often do not check them. Sometimes even the registration certificate have been altered. Those who are in possession of stolen vehicles can be prosecuted for retaining stolen property" he said. Meanwhile detectives have found a garage in the Wattala area where mechanics tamper with chassis and engine numbers of stolen vehicles. The car thieves have made use of this facility to change engine and chassis numbers to deceive buyers. However the workers had fled the garage removing their equipment after police visited them. According to police, the modus operandi of car thieves have been to buy condemned vehicles from auctions for the purpose of obtaining their chassis and engine numbers. The numbers are then engraved on stolen vehicles, after the genuine numbers are scratched out. This is done primarily to avoid vehicles being traced. Last November, two persons who stole a double cab was arrested at Wellawatte. They have been involved in thefts of luxury vehicles like Mitsubishi Pajero Inter-coolers, Toyota Prado, Land Cruisers that end up in the Vannai region. According to police several underworld gangs operate with brokers in the LTTE controlled areas. Statistics from January to October 2003 show that 501 Motor Cycles, 211 Three-Wheeler Taxis, 25 Cars, 140 Vans, 3 buses, 40 Lorries, 9 Jeeps. In addition 60-70 vehicles have been stolen during the month of October. Three underworld members who hi-jacked a vehicle at gunpoint at Kalutara were arrested by the police. Luxury vehicles are said to be in demand in the Wanni as it suits the local terrain. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
