After cops seized four stolen dumpers and arrested two men on Saturday, Mumbai Crime Branch is now on a mission to bust their racket, which they suspect is extensive
After cops seized four stolen dumpers and arrested two men on Saturday, Mumbai Crime Branch is now on a mission to bust their racket, which they suspect is extensive
It might as well have been a real-life segue from a Grand Theft Auto gameplay, except that in place of cool sleek cars, it has big baggy dumpers.u00a0 So far, cops have only chased robbers of deluxe cars and bikes. For the uncomplicated reason that it was the only kind to chase. But for the first time, thieves have shown an interest in dumpers -- 10-tier ones to be precise -- found at construction sites, putting officers of the anti-motor vehicle theft (AMVT) of the Mumbai Crime Branch on alert. 
Seized: The confiscated dumpers outside the Ghatkopar police station.
The thieves steal the vehicles and either resell them or give them on
rent to contractors. Pic/Shadab Khan
After Ghatkopar police on Saturday busted a racket of dumper thieves and arrested two men, Jagtar Singh and Abdul Salam, the CB sleuths have sprung into action, and are on the lookout for them. Four dumpers were confiscated from the arrested accused. Cops further said that the theft is not as lightweight as that -- there are several such accused in the gang, who have lifted over 10 such dumpers. After stealing the vehicles, they either resell them or give them out on rent to constructors.
Incidentally, MiD DAY had earlier reported about infrastructure projects getting delayed due to a gang of thieves stealing construction material at night ('Thieves delay infra projects', April 7, 2011). The two accused of stealing the dumpers, residents of Shivaji Nagar and Ghansoli, had stolen the dumpers from Vidhyavihar, Chembur, and Thane. They also disclosed details about their other gang members and the dumpers they had earlier stolen. Police have been on the lookout for the other accused.
Assistant Police Inspector
R Sheikh said, "They used to rob the dumpers that were parked in some areas and then sell it to construction sites. They did not have any papers, but they would tell prospective buyers that they had purchased the vehicle from a finance company and would get the papers in some time. We have arrested two and will soon arrest the other members of their group."
Modus operandi
The gang would trace a new dumper, or find one that is being used at a site for long or has been lying at the same place for some time. They would then steal it, and as soon as possible, contact construction site supervisors to cut a deal. According to the police, the thieves would initially take Rs 2 lakh as advance payment from parties interested in purchasing the vehicle, which costs over Rs 20 lakh. If asked about the papers, they would give them the 'purchased on finance' explanation and promise to get the papers until their next escapade. Or they would rent out the vehicle for a month for the same amount.
Hot goods
The preference of motor vehicles thieves over last two years, as a percentage of the total motor thefts in the city:
Rs 20-22 lakh
The cost of one ten-tier dumper
Two-wheelers:
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| Brand | 2010 | 2009 |
| Scorpio | 13% | 10% |
| Santro | 12% | 10% |
| Bolero | 10% | 07% |
| Others | 52% | 58% |
| Trucks | nil | nil |
| Dumper | nil | nil |
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