Motorbike robberies; two including lottery dealer arrested

Gampaha Division Criminal Investigation Bureau officials arrested a person who steals motorbikes parked in front of banks and financial institutions and a lottery dealer who acts as a middleman to sell the stolen motorcycles.

Officers of the Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau have also found five stolen motorbikes from the interrogation of these two suspects.

The Police say that the motorbikes were stolen within a period of two months.

Investigations have revealed that the two persons have sold stolen motorbikes worth between Rs.200,000 – Rs.300,000 at a price between Rs.25,000 and Rs.30,000.

The 44-year-old motorbike thief is a resident of Mallagodella, Minuwangoda. He was arrested last December by officers of the Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau and three motorcycles were recovered.

Police say that this person travels around the Gampaha District in buses and when he sees motorbikes parked insecurely, he gets off the bus, wanders around the motorcycle for a while and steals it with a key made by him.

“The 22-year-old lottery dealer who helps the other suspect sell the stolen motorbikes is a resident of Imbulgoda,” the Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau stated.

Police say that both suspects are drug addicts and are engaged in stealing motorbikes to buy drugs.