A 42-year-old man from Andhra Pradesh has been arrested in Bengaluru for stealing motorcycles from parking lots, police said on Tuesday. Officers seized 40 bikes worth around ₹30 lakh from his possession.
Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh stated that 11 of the recovered vehicles have unidentified owners. The suspect, Ravi Kumar, also faces sandalwood smuggling charges in Andhra Pradesh.
Police revealed that Kumar, who lived in Maruti Nagar, targeted unattended two-wheelers parked in residential areas, commercial complexes, and public lots. He frequently travelled on Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses, disembarked at different stops, and scouted for vulnerable bikes to steal.
“He would simply locate an unguarded vehicle, break its lock with basic tools, and ride away before anyone could react,” explained Yelahanka police inspector M L Krishnamurthy.
The Yelahanka police team was investigating a theft reported on April 6 and identified Kumar in June using CCTV evidence. He was apprehended and presented before the court on June 24, which remanded him to 12 days in custody.
During questioning, Kumar confessed to stealing numerous motorcycles. He admitted to selling 11 and hiding 27 others across Andhra Pradesh, preparing them for sale.
Police noted that Kumar, a native of Kadiri, operated alone without any accomplices. He reportedly spent the stolen money on clothing, travel, and electronic devices.
Officers added that Kumar has a wife and two children in Andhra Pradesh and previously earned a living doing odd jobs.