Interstate Cab Thief Held, Three Vehicles Recovered
Police said the accused had adopted the same modus operandi in several cases across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
SIDDIPET: Siddipet police have arrested an interstate vehicle thief who allegedly posed as a passenger to steal cabs and other vehicles across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Three stolen vehicles worth about ₹10 lakh were recovered from his possession.
The accused was identified as Pendyala Sudarshan (32), a native of Khanapur village in Bijinapally mandal of Nagarkurnool district. Police said he worked as a driver and targeted cab drivers operating alone.
According to police, Sudarshan would hire taxis for long-distance trips, offering attractive fares. During the journey, he would ask the driver to stop at a secluded place on the pretext of taking a break or having food. When the driver stepped out of the vehicle, he allegedly drove away with it.
Police said the accused had adopted the same modus operandi in several cases across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. They also alleged that he was associated with former criminals he met in prison and sold the stolen vehicles at throwaway prices.
The arrest followed a complaint lodged by Angoth Tulja, an Ola cab driver from Bommraspet mandal in Vikarabad district. Tulja told police that on July 3, he picked up the accused from beneath the L.B. Nagar flyover in Hyderabad for a trip to the Komuravelli Mallanna temple.
After the temple visit, while returning towards Kukunoorpally at around 1 am, the accused asked the driver to look for a hotel. When the driver stopped near Mangol Cross Road to relieve himself, the accused allegedly asked him to leave the air-conditioner running and drove away with the Swift Dzire (TS 34 TB 7506).
Under the supervision of ACP Narsimlu, Kukunoorpally police analysed CCTV footage and technical evidence before tracing and arresting the accused. Police recovered a Swift Dzire, Toyota Etios and a Royal Enfield Hunter motorcycle, collectively valued at about ₹10 lakh.
The accused was produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.
Siddipet Commissioner of Police Rashmi Perumal commended CI Latif, SI Balakrishna, the IT Core team and other police personnel for cracking the case.