A. Jayachandran, 32, of Tirunagar and his brother A. Muthukumar, 26, of Anaiyur in Madurai were arrested on a charge of stealing autorickshaws parked in public places.
The police are on the lookout for an accomplice, who is running a play school at Thathaneri in Madurai. Following a complaint from Pandi, an auto driver of Immanuel Street, the police registered a case. He complained that his auto parked in front of his house was missing since September 21.
Even as the police were on the lookout for vehicle, a special team intercepted two autos with the same number plate. Inquiries revealed that the owners purchased them from a broker in Madurai.
The police, after investigation, picked up Jayachandran, who confessed that he, his brother Muthukumar and another person were stealing autos and selling them by changing number plates and making other alterations.
Some of the autos which were seized and kept in police custody too were scanned by the the two brothers in many cities and districts, an investigating officer said.
The police registered a case and seized an auto bearing Sivaganga district registration number from the duo. As the accomplice of Jayachandran sensed trouble, he went underground. The brothers were produced before a judicial magistrate in Nilakottai and remanded, the police said.