Chandigarh: 20 four-wheeler batteries stolen in less than a month

CHANDIGARH: A gang stealing batteries from parked vehicles outside houses has been active in the city from past many days. The gang has so far targeted 20 vehicles since August 19 till date. In two incidents of thefts, the police have procured CCTV footage, in which two car-borne miscreants can be seen stealing batteries from vehicles parked at Dhanas and Khuda Jassu villages, recently.
Recently, two-car borne miscreants stole eight batteries from tractors, Maruti Zen car and Mahindra pickup van at Khuda Jassu late on September 12 night. Later, the police found that two persons came in a Honda city car and stole batteries from vehicles. The two accused were caught in the CCTV while stealing batteries from three cars at Milk Colony in Dhanas on September 10.
The police suspect it to be the handy work of motor mechanics. According to the CCTV footage of the incidents, the accused stole several batteries in a few minutes and only mechanics could do such a work quickly. The police have rounded-up several mechanics for interrogation, but did not get any clue so far. The police have also quizzed shopkeepers of sectors 48, 38 and Manimajra motor markets in the case.
The miscreants had also stolen five batteries from vehicles parked outside houses at Sector 28 on August 19. After four days, thieves stole away four batteries from fourwheelers parked at Raipur Khurd village on August 23.
Last year, Sector 3 police had arrested a Kharar resident and recovered 31 stolen batteries of vehicles from his possession. The accused used to keep batteries in food delivery bag of a famous company to deceive the cops. The accused was a drug addict and used to steal 12 to 14 batteries in an hour.