Jaipur Police have uncovered an interstate vehicle theft gang involved in stealing Scorpio SUVs and arrested four accused. Police said the gang altered engine and chassis numbers, used forged documents to sell the stolen vehicles at high prices, and operated a network extending across Rajasthan, Delhi, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Nepal.
The joint operation was carried out by the Jaipur East District Special Team (DST) and Ramnagaria Police Station. Police seized two stolen Scorpio SUVs, a car allegedly used in the crimes, fake number plates, machines used to alter vehicle identities and several other tools from the accused.
According to the investigation, the gang has stolen more than two dozen luxury SUVs.
Following an increase in vehicle theft cases in Jaipur, police launched a special campaign. Under the supervision of DCP East Ranjita Sharma, the DST and Ramnagaria Police teams investigated the thefts using CCTV footage, technical analysis and information from informants before identifying and arresting the accused.
Those arrested have been identified as Rahul Meena alias Kundan alias Raja (26), a resident of Mahwa in Dausa district; Hareti Meena alias Monu alias Durja (20); Mahipal Choudhary (35), a vehicle buyer from Sikar; and Himanshu Dehival (20).
Police said Rahul Meena carried rewards of ₹10,000 each announced by Jaipur East Police and Dausa Police. He was also absconding in cases registered in Morena district of Madhya Pradesh and Dausa district.
During questioning, the accused told police they operated as an organised gang. Members first surveyed expensive vehicles parked in cities before stealing them within a short time using modern equipment.
The stolen Scorpio SUVs were then taken to Sikar in Rajasthan, where gang members allegedly changed the engine and chassis numbers to conceal the vehicles' identities. Fake number plates and forged documents were subsequently used to sell the vehicles at high prices.
Police investigations have also found that some members of the gang transported stolen vehicles to Nepal, leading investigators to suspect that the vehicle theft network may have extended to the international level.
Based on information provided by the accused, police recovered two stolen Scorpio SUVs reported stolen from the Ramnagaria and Kardhani police station areas.
Police also seized the Swift car bearing registration number RJ23TA-6386, four ACM machines, four VCM machines, three pairs of fake number plates and several tools allegedly used in vehicle theft.
Investigating agencies are now working to identify the individuals to whom the stolen vehicles were sold and to determine how many others were involved in the network.
Police said Rahul Meena has multiple criminal cases registered against him at different police stations in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, including cases related to vehicle theft, murder and offences under the Arms Act.
Police also said Hareti Meena has previously been named in criminal cases. Investigators are examining the accused's criminal records and their contacts.
Ramnagaria Police Station is continuing to question the accused. Police expect further interrogation to reveal additional vehicle theft cases.
Investigators are also attempting to determine how many vehicles the gang allegedly stole, where the vehicles were sold and who else was involved in the network.
