Autolifters arrested

New Delhi, Feb 17 (PTI) Police today claimed to havesmashed an inter-state gang of autolifters belonging toHimachal Pradesh with the arrest of five persons and recoverytwo cars and six mobile phones from them.

With this, police said, 14 cases of vehicle theft havebeen solved.

Dev Thakur (27), Ajay Thakur (30), Amar Singh (21),Vijay Kumar (21) and Davnesh (23) were arrested from NelsonMandela Marg acting on a tip-off.

"At about 1.30 pm, one Innova coming from Vasant Kunjside was signalled to stop for checking. The driver of the carwas asked to produce the documents of the vehicle, but hecould not do so," police said.

The vehicle was found to be stolen from Defence Colonyand during the course of interrogation of all the accusedpersons, it was found that Dev Thakur, alleged leader of thisgang, alongwith other members had stolen and disposed of morethan 15 luxury vehicles through one Murugan in Chennai andVijaywada, they said.

At their instance, another Innova car was recovered.

Raids are being conducted to arrest Murugan and to effect morerecoveries.

They used to move in posh locations in early morninghours posing themselves as morning walkers and keep a watch onthe driver or servant washing the vehicle.

"As soon as the driver used to go inside the residence toget some water or any other object, leaving behind the key inthe vehicle itself, they immediately used to get into thevehicle and escape with the vehicle," police said.