Vasai man who stole police’s patrolling bike, conned teen, held

The bike of a beat marshal that was stolen; Accused Kuldeep Singh Rathod. Pics/Hanif Patel

The man, who first stole patrolling bike of a beat marshal from the premises of Virar police station and then played a game of ‘chor-police' with a teenager last month in Vasai to decamp with his brand new motorcycle, was finally arrested by Gujarat police in Dahod district. Police have recovered the stolen motorcycle.

The accused Kuldeep Singh Rathod, a native of Lunavada in Gujarat, rode the stolen motorcycle over 3,700-km after disappearing from Vasai, said the owner Subhash Yadav.

"My motorcycle was brand new. The accused roamed on the motorcycle after removing the number plate. He crossed the state border and reached Gujarat," Yadav said.

Rathod was arrested during nakabandi by Devgarh Baria police on January 6. "We raised suspicion over the motorcycle as there was no number plate but the motorcycle was brand new. So, we asked him to show the documents," said constable Dinesh Ahir, attached to Devgarh Baria police in Dahod district of Gujarat.

"Initially he said that the motorcycle belonged to him. However, when he was asked to show his driving license, he spilt the beans, but he said that the motorcycle was stolen from Baroda," Ahir said.

"We arrested him under relevant sections of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and have confiscated the motorcycle," he added.

The next day, Rathod got bail but the motorcycle remained in the custody of the police. "Since it was brand new, I checked with the many showrooms to seek the number of the owner. Later, with the help of chassis and engine numbers, I traced its owner and asked him to visit the local police station if the FIR is registered," he added.

The bike owner and a team from Manikpur police reached Gujarat and took custody of the motorcycle.

Ahir told mid-day that Rathod lives in Baroda city. However, Vasai police could not arrest the accused as he was not available when the team reached Gujarat. "Our investigations are underway," said an officer attached to Manikpur police station.