10 vehicles stolen in Gurgaon daily, but only 1 traced

GURGAON: Police have been able to trace only one of every 10 vehicles stolen in the city so far this year. According to data accessed by TOI, out of the 2,478 motor vehicle theft cases registered in the first eight months of this year, only 286 cases, or 11.5%, have been resolved.
In 2022, when a total of 2,174 such cases were registered, the resolution rate was slightly higher at 15%, with 328 cases solved.

A senior police officer said their teams are actively addressing unsolved cases by conducting daily reviews with the investigating officers. “The recovery rate of stolen vehicles is low as the thieves swiftly transport them out of the state shortly after the theft occurs,” he added.
The officer further said the chances of recovery are significantly lower unless the stolen vehicles are used in other crimes.
“Inadequate surveillance infrastructure such as CCTV cameras in many areas of the city has made it challenging to identify and track stolen vehicles. Criminals often use sophisticated techniques, like tampering with vehicle numberplates or using GPS jammers, which makes it difficult for police to trace and recover the vehicles,” he said.
Vehicle thieves generally operate in gangs across state borders, making it harder for police to coordinate investigations and apprehend suspects. Most vehicle theft cases in Gurgaon are traced back to Nuh, Alwar, and some bordering areas of UP.
According to police, a majority of stolen vehicles are two-wheelers, which are easier to break into, while cars pose more significant challenges due to their security systems. “The delayed implementation of high-security registration plates, which would have hindered thieves in switching to fake numberplates, is another contributing factor,” the officer added.
Major hotspots where most vehicle thefts are reported include DLF areas, Udyog Vihar, Sohna, Pataudi, Bilaspur and Kherki Daula. Police pointed out that most of these areas have heavy footfall and dense car parking spots, making them common and lucrative targets for criminals.
Last week, police arrested three persons allegedly involved in a dozen cases of snatching and armed car thefts in the city since 2020.
According to police, the accused stole two-wheeler vehicles in the city and sold them in Nuh and Rajasthan. They were part of a bigger nexus involved in vehicle theft and selling them at discounted prices, cops said. The trio robbed vehicles and sold them. They also used some of the vehicles for other criminal activities, such as bootlegging, an officer said.