A driver from the capital of the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Silvassa was robbed of his belongings when a gang of three attacked him. As per the driver, the car-jackers asked for a lift on NH-8 or the Mumbai-Ahmedabad national highway from the victim, Pappu Saroj (23). The victim was driving his employer Nikunj Patolia's brother to Andheri in his white coloured Indica Vista car (DN-09-G-2062).
The driver was robbed of his cash and mobile phone apart from India Vista, which he was driving. The incident took place when he was driving back to Silvassa, which happens to be around 161 km away from Mumbai. The three men asked for a lift to Vapi near a hotel named Fountain on NH-8 at Kashimira at about 11 pm. Saroj agreed to drop them at Bhilad, lying on the border of Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. On reaching Virar, the three men who were expected to be in their 20s overpowered Saroj and pulled him out of his car. Thereafter, he was tied, blindfolded and robbed of Rs. 1000 cash and his mobile phone. Before going away with the car, they also allegedly assaulted him.
While going through the CCTV footage at Virar and Charoti, API Dhanraj Patil revealed that the car was seen entering Mumbai, however, there has not been any footage of the car leaving Vasai-Virar section. Sketches of the car-jackers have been prepared on the basis of description given by Saroj and distributed to all the local police stations. It must be noted that vehicle thefts is a common event in India, even after several actions undertaken, the situation has not improved. As per a report by Delhi Police in March 2013, a total of 44,025 vehicles including cars and two-wheelers were lifted in the past three years. Out of these, just 7425 units could be recovered converting it to about 40 vehicles being snatched every day in India.
The National Crime Research Bureau (NCRB) in a study has divulged that the maximum number of cars stolen are white in colour. Major vehicles to be targeted by thieves are Chevrolet Tavera, Mahindra Bolero, Mahindra Scorpio and Toyota Qualis in the city of Mumbai. Taking the two-wheeler segment into consideration, the Hero Splendor, Bajaj Pulsar and Hero Passion are among the most stolen models. The anti-motor vehicle theft cell has been trying its best to curb such practices by installing cameras that have the ability to detect the seven-digit laser code in security number plates and alert the law men. Besides these, installation of GPS devices, a wide ranging CCTV network and interlinking Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) via computers so as to alarm the intelligence and surveillance board would help put a stop to these crimes.
Most of the cars that are stolen from parking lot are unlocked via duplicate keys or insertion of wire into the key hole and then manipulating the ignition. The locksmiths have also been asked to maintain proper records of customers approaching for duplicate keys. A few general prevention methods could be usage of steering lock, immobilisers featured in a lot of vehicles, car alarm systems and kill switches. Kill switch circuits help slow down the effort of a car robber. They are located between the important parts of the starting system and the car does not start unless they are flipped to close position. Another, prevention method could be never offering lift to strangers on the way as they could be a gang involved in car lifting.
