The Jayapur Town Police have busted an active motorcycle theft gang, arresting two individuals and recovering as many as 15 stolen bikes.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Rahul Gouda (34), a resident of Hanaguda under Jayapur Town police limits, and Balabhadra Pangi (35) of Kadamguda under Nabarangpur police station.
Addressing a press conference at the Town Police Station on Sunday afternoon, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Archita Mittal along with Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) Ullasa Chandra Rout confirmed that both accused have been remanded to judicial custody after being produced before a local court.
How the Theft Came to Light
According to police sources, the crackdown was triggered by a complaint filed by Umesh Verma (30), a resident of Bastar RTO in neighbouring Chhattisgarh. On September 28, Verma had travelled from Jagdalpur to Jeypore on a motorcycle registered in his mother’s name (bearing registration number CG 17 XJ-8810).
In the afternoon, Verma parked the vehicle outside a medicine store near the District COVID Hospital on the main road. Upon returning after purchasing medicines, he found the motorcycle missing. After searching the area frantically without success, he lodged a formal complaint at the Jeypore Town Police Station.
CCTV Feeds & Interrogation Lead to Breakthrough
Based on the complaint, police registered a case and initiated a targeted investigation. Analysing footage from nearby CCTV cameras and following technical intelligence, the investigative team detained Rahul Gouda and Balabhadra Pangi for questioning.
During interrogation, the duo confessed to stealing Verma’s motorcycle. Upon further questioning, they admitted to lifting 14 additional motorcycles over the past month.
“The gang had hidden the stolen vehicles at various discreet locations on the outskirts of the town and was preparing to sell them off to prospective buyers. Fortunately, our team intercepted them before the vehicles could be disposed of,” stated SDPO Archita Mittal.
Diverse Origin of Stolen Vehicles
Of the 15 recovered motorcycles, several belong to owners from neighbouring states, highlighting the inter-state movement of the culprits:
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Chhattisgarh registered: 4 bikes
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Andhra Pradesh registered: 3 bikes
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Uttar Pradesh registered: 2 bikes
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Odisha registered: 2 bikes
The police added that a majority of the recovered bikes have already been verified and handed over to their rightful owners, while further efforts are underway to trace the remaining owners.
The press briefing was attended by SDPO Archita Mittal, IIC Ullasa Chandra Rout, SSI Digambar Pradhan, and Investigating Officer SSI Priyaranjan Barik. Police officials emphasised that an investigation is actively ongoing to determine if more accomplices or buyers were linked to the network.
Continued Police Crackdown
This successful operation comes as part of an ongoing drive by the Jeypore Town Police against vehicle theft syndicates. Notably, on May 2, 2025, the same police station had busted a massive bike theft racket, recovering 31 stolen motorcycles and arresting four key operatives.
