Bicycles catch the fancy of thieves in Sector 57

Cases of bicycle theft are becoming a major concern for residents of Sector 57. More than 30 bicycles have been stolen this month from F, E and G blocks, leaving children in the area and many fitness enthusiasts upset.

Cases of bicycle theft are becoming a major concern for residents of Sector 57. More than 30 bicycles have been stolen this month from F, E and G blocks, leaving children in the area and many fitness enthusiasts upset. Many of the stolen bicycles cost in the range of Rs 8,000 and Rs 12,000.

After a search operation was conducted by the police at a few places in the sector, two bicycles were found abandoned in the hedges on Wednesday morning. (HT Photo)

After a search operation was conducted by the police at a few places in the sector, two bicycles were found abandoned in the hedges on Wednesday morning.

On Monday night, around 12am, an unknown man stole a bicycle parked on the ground floor. The cycle was worth of Rs 9,000 and was bought a week before for the teenager living there. The matter was reported to Sector 56 police station and a case was registered under Section 379, IPC.

“I got that bicycle from my dad as a birthday gift. It meant a lot to me,” said Ayush Ghudaiya, the 13-year-old owner.

The theft was caught by CCTV cameras installed outside the house and the footage has been given to the police team.

“The thief has to be from the sector because within two days, he abandoned the bicycle in the area. It means that he was keeping a watch on the search activities conducted by us,” said Joginder Singh, former residents’ welfare association (RWA) president of Sector 57.

The RWA members said around 30 bicycles have been stolen from these three blocks in the last one month. Most of the thefts have been reported to the police, who have registered FIRs in at least half-a-dozen cases. However, there has been no arrest so far.

“There are days when more than three bicycles were reported stolen, but no action has been taken by the police. Despite the night patrolling, thefts are taking place with impunity,” said Saurabh Tandon, a resident of block F.

The police theory is that a gang of thieves was behind the thefts. A police source said they believed the gang went around the sector in the evening looking for bicycles that it could steal at night.

Deepak Saharan, DCP(East), said, “We have formed teams and the night patrolling has also been increased in the area. We are conducting the investigation to identify the man who was captured on camera.