BY SHEIKH JAMALLUDDIN | NT
PANAJI: If the figures available with the police department are to be believed, everyday a two-wheeler is stolen from open parking places in the state. This, despite the cops nabbing several gangs involved in such thefts.

These vehicle thieves mostly strike busy, crowded streets in cities like the bus stands, market places. Figures suggest that up to September 20 this year, a total number of 282 vehicles have been stolen. Of these 256 are 2-wheelers while others include 11 cars, four jeeps and 11 other vehicles like trucks and tempos.
According to the Superintendent of Police, North, Mr Arvind Gawas, there is a craze among today’s youth to ride two-wheelers and as many youth are unable to own motorbikes owing to their weak financial status, they resort to such two-wheeler thefts.
In 2007, a total of 212 vehicles were stolen of which 175 were two-wheelers, 24 cars and 13 were jeeps. 212 two-wheelers were stolen in 2008 while the number of cars stolen in that year was 17. The year 2009 witnessed a rise in the number of two-wheeler thefts with 303 of such vehicles being stolen. Thirteen cars, three jeeps and 24 other automobiles were the other vehicles stolen in 2009.  
Mr Gawas informed that even minors and teenagers are involved in such crimes and added that the thieves mostly hail from Ponda, Chimbel and Panaji areas. Elaborating on the vehicle thefts, Mr Gawas said that once a vehicle is stolen, the vehicle number plate is immediately changed and a fake number plate is used on the stolen vehicle. Usually these thieves swap the number plates with that from other cities with the help of their accomplices. For instance, a Margao vehicle number is used on a vehicle stolen from Panaji. Many stolen two-wheelers are also modified which consequently makes it difficult for the police to detect these vehicles.
Mr Gawas informed that though some gangs involved in such thefts keep the stolen motorcycles for their personal use, some others sell these by preparing duplicate documents while still some others dismantle the vehicles and sell the vehicle parts individually.
Informing about the vehicle thieves nabbed by cops, Mr Gawas said a gang was nabbed in Ponda this year and 16 motorcycles were recovered from it while some other gangs were also busted in Margao and Panaji areas like St Inez, Caranzalem and Chimbel. Recently, a gang from Calangute was nabbed and seven two-wheelers and a four-wheeler were recovered from it.