Vehicle owners be alert:

CCD busts organised vehicle robbery

By Kurulu Kariyakarawana

Renting out one's personal mode of transport is a method many people nowadays are involved in to find an additional income. Suppose one has an extra vehicle or if a person is not using his car or van often, it could be rented out to companies or individuals for hiring purposes. But its high time for vehicle owners to think twice when renting-out vehicles to total strangers who would not be hesitate to do the vanishing trick with that precious automobile.

This came to light when an investigation was concluded by the Colombo Crime Division(CCD) recently that subsequently unveiled a major vehicle robber gang stealing hiring vehicles and carrying out a scam of producing forged identification documents.

CCD Unit 6 received information a few weeks ago about a well-organised gang engaged in hiring vehicles on a rent basis from individual owners, who are willing to rent-out their automobiles fora monthly income. OIC CCD Unit 6 Inspector Dinesh Rajeewa Hettiarachchi told the Sunday Observer that they were tipped off about the suspicious movement of a group of persons.

With information in hand, a special police team in civvies went to McDonald's restaurant in Rajagiriya where they noticed three men and a woman arriving. The police searched the foursome and found illegal identification papers with them. From the woman's handbag police recovered two National Identity cards with the same picture of a woman but with different names.

This led the sleuths to further investigate the matter and take the four into questioning.

When questioned the woman said that the additional identity cards had been made to be produced when dealing with the paperwork to hire rented vehicles. She was reportedly from Embilipitiya and had entirely different names and addresses on the two NICs.

Police questioned the three men and founf forged identity cards in their possession and proof that they engaged in various unlawful activities. When interrogated the suspects disclosed to the police that a man in Wattala by the name of Sumith was assisting them to make forged personal documents and identification material.

With that information, the CCD raided a house in Mabole and arrested a man identified as Dammika Sumith Algama, who claimed to be a film director and producer. Upon arrest he showed an identity card of himself issued by the Department of Cultural Affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Arts. He was nominated as a member to hold a National Artiste;s Identity Card.

The police however searched the house and found a stack of illicit documents prepared by the suspect. It was like a mini Kachcheri where sleuths found half- made NICs for different photos of different individuals under different names, forged Birth Certificates, forged certificates issued by the Grama Seva officers, various legal documents and copies of deeds and vehicle ownership papers and registration books.

The suspect was taken into custody and interrogated at length and found that they were involved in a vehicle stealing scam.

The suspects search for newspaper advertisements of vehicle owners who are willing to rent-out their automobiles. They then approach them as representatives of various private companies agreeing to hire the vehicles for attractive rentals.

As identification documents they produce forged NICs and certificates to obtain the vehicle without advance payment. The rental would be paid after a month. Once the vehicle is obtained the gang would immediately change ownership of the particular car to their names and pawn it for a small amount like Rs.200, 000 or 300, 000. Once the money is received from the vehicle pawn brokers, the gang would vanish from the area. In a similar manner the suspects had stolen number of vehicles from private owners and had pawned them and taken money. With initial information police found two Maruti cars, a Dimo Batta Lorry and several motorcycles. The registration numbers of the vehicles are Maruti – KC 5642, Maruti – KE 8701, Dimo Batta – PT 5803 and Dio Scooty – BAJ 8100.

These vehicles were recovered from Jaela, Wellampitiya and Kelaniya areas. One of the Maruti cars was belong to a female Ayurvedic doctor who had rented out her car few months ago. The police are currently engaged in searching for the real owners of the other vehciles.

OIC Colombo Crime Division Chief Inspector Nevil De Silva told the Sunday Observer that the investigations will be continued as there are more vehicles to be recovered. He requests from the public to be very careful when renting-out a private vehicle to an unknown party and to check for all possible identification details.

CCD Unit 6 led by IP Dinesh Rajeewa Hettiarachchi, SI Thushara Perera, SI Eranda Thibbotuwa, Sergeant Jayanetti (31065), Constables Pradeep (77150), Gayan (79978), Gurugalgoda (84336) under the instructions of CI Nevil De Silva and Director CCD SSP Roshan De Silva.

The suspects were produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate and remanded until October 24.