Shillong: A gang of bike lifters active in Shillong and nearby areas was busted by East Khasi Hills district police, with four suspects arrested and several stolen two-wheelers and dismantled vehicle parts recovered during a raid in Ladrymbai in East Jaintia Hills district on Monday.The arrests followed the earlier detention of Shabamutlang Syiemlieh, 23, who was wanted in connection with a motorcycle theft reported from the Golf Links area of Shillong on March 2.The four accused were identified as Vencentstar Tongwah, 23, Kitborlang Mawlong, 21, Royalroy Lyngdoh, 23, and Ayan Kharthangmaw, 21. Police said they are linked to multiple theft cases registered at Laitumkhrah and Sadar police stations. They were first apprehended by Jowai police and later handed over to East Khasi Hills police.During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to stealing motorcycles from several parts of Shillong, including Umroi, Goraline, Laitumkhrah and Golflinks.Investigators found that the stolen vehicles were being transported to Ladrymbai, where they were dismantled. Based on the leads, a joint team of East Khasi Hills police and Jowai police raided an under-construction building at Ladrymbai, Dongwah.Police recovered a Yamaha R15 motorcycle, a Yamaha Ray Z scooter, dismantled parts of another Yamaha R15, and dismantled parts of a scooter during the operation.East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem said police were working to dismantle the wider network behind the thefts.“The recovery indicates the existence of an organized network involved in dismantling and trafficking stolen vehicles,” SP Syiem said.
