Motorcycle locks picked in 10-20 seconds; 6 arrested over thefts

The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested six alleged members of a motorcycle theft gang accused of stealing bikes across the capital using specially made iron keys that could pick locks in as little as 10–20 seconds.

Police also recovered nine stolen motorcycles, two specially made keys and an auto-rickshaw allegedly used in the thefts, DMP Additional Police Commissioner (Detective) Md Shafiqul Islam confirmed at a press conference at the DMP Media Centre today (18 October).

The arrested are Rashedul Islam, alias Rafiqul, alias Russell, 30; Md Amir Faisal, alias Rabbi, 30; Faisal, 25; Saurav, 22; Jahangir Alam Pappu, 29; and Mozammel Haque Masum, 22.

According to the DB, gang members travelled around in an auto-rickshaw, identified parked motorcycles, and unlocked them with specially made iron keys before fleeing with the vehicles.

The investigation began after a motorcycle was stolen in front of Baitur Rahman Mosque on Salimullah Road in Mohammadpur on 2 October.

At around 4:30pm that day, the owner parked and locked his motorcycle before entering the mosque for Asr prayers. Taking advantage of his absence, members of the gang arrived in an auto-rickshaw, opened the lock within seconds using a specially made iron key, and fled with the bike.

The incident came to the DB's attention after CCTV footage of the theft circulated on social media.

The organised crime and vehicle theft prevention team of the DB's Lalbagh division launched an investigation, reviewing the footage and using information technology to identify the alleged gang members, police said.

Investigators subsequently conducted raids in Nandipara and Madartek under Sabujbagh Police Station, arresting Russell. Two specially made keys and a stolen motorcycle were recovered from his possession.

Acting on information provided by Russell, the DB later arrested Rabbi in front of Saddam Market under Jatrabari Police Station and recovered another stolen motorcycle.

Based on information obtained from the arrested men, investigators conducted operations in Laksam upazila of Cumilla, recovering four stolen motorcycles and arresting Faisal and Saurav.

In a subsequent operation in Chatkhil upazila of Noakhali, police recovered three more stolen motorcycles and arrested Pappu and Masum. An auto-rickshaw allegedly used in the thefts was also seized.

During preliminary interrogation, Russell and Rabbi said they had stolen motorcycles from different parts of Dhaka using the same method, according to the DB.

The pair allegedly used the auto-rickshaw to move around and carry out the thefts before supplying the stolen vehicles to Faisal and Saurav in Laksam and Pappu and Masum in Chatkhil.

The motorcycles were sold for between Tk60,000 and Tk1 lakh each, depending on their models and condition, police said.

According to the DB, 15 motorcycle theft cases have been filed against Russell, while Rabbi faces seven theft cases.

Russell also has one GR conviction warrant, while Rabbi has two GR warrants, police said.

The DB identified Russell as one of the gang's key members, adding that information provided by him helped investigators arrest other alleged members and recover stolen motorcycles from different locations.

Legal proceedings against the six arrested men were under way, police said.