Beware, thieves targeting your two-wheeler

KOZHIKODE: If you have a bike, especially a new trendy one, please be cautious, thieves are behind you! Complaints filed in various police stations in the state show that two -wheelers were targeted in around 80 per cent of vehicle theft cases.As many as 285 vehicles were reported stolen in the first four months of 2011, of which 231 were two-wheelers and majority of them were stylish, costly, and 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 model vehicles.The easy availability of buyers make two-wheelers an easy target, said police officials who have been investigating two-wheeler theft cases by school children.The ‘professional’ lifters hand over the stolen vehicles immediately to the junk dealers, they added.According to officials, it is found that the robbers used to have pre-arrangements with illegal dealers who are looking for some particular models. After identifying the required vehicle, the gang lifts it and hands it over to the dealer, officials explain the modus operandi.Tracing stolen vehicles is really difficult as the lifters ensure dismantling of the same without any delay.The nexus between the thieves, junk dealers and other anti-social networks also makes it difficult for the police to trace the vehicle lifters.According to the statistics available with the State Crime Records Bureau, an average of 70 vehicles are lifted every month. Kollam and Thrissur districts top the list with 36 and 34 vehicle theft cases in 2011, of which 28 each were two-wheelers.The stolen vehicles are also used for anti-social and criminal activities, including chain snatching, drug distribution and burglary, said the police.As stolen vehicles are cheap, anti-socials find it easy to abandon the vehicle after committing crime, they added.As many as 970 vehicle theft cases were reported in 2010  in the state. The culprits are believed to be part of a chain spread across Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.Police close down the files of many of the cases on the assumption that it is impossible to trace the vehicles as they would be dismantled.Lack of interest from the part of owners — as they can claim insurance money — usually results in closure of the cases, said officials.