A probe into a vehicle theft racket busted by the crime branch some time ago has netted the cops the suspected mastermind, Washim Ahmed Shaikh, 29. He is suspected to be the leader of a gang of thieves who hail from Pratapgadh, and recruits youngsters.

Officials have also learnt that the gang used to steal vehicles — trucks/tempos — which were sold to gangs that smuggled liquor ato Gujarat. Shaikh, too, would keep some vehicles and use them to commit dacoities in industrial areas in Thane and Palghar.