Cuttack, Sept 11: In a major breakthrough, Cuttack police have unearthed an inter-district bike theft racket and arrested four key members involved in the operation. A total of 13 stolen motorcycles, taken from various locations across the district, have been recovered from the accused.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Raja alias Lulu Mohanta of Vidyadharpur village under Barang police limits, Manoj alias Manoj Dehuri of Dalua village under Khuntuni police station, Biju Dehuri of Manitri village (Khuntuni PS), and Satyanarayan Behera of Kushpangi village under Gurudijhatia police limits. All four have been produced in court following their arrest.

According to police sources, the gang was involved in stealing motorcycles from different parts of Cuttack district and storing them in hideouts located in Dalua and Kushpangi villages. The racket came to light after a complaint was lodged on August 27 by Kalandi Behera of Savitreepur village, who reported the theft of his motorcycle at the Khuntuni police station.

Acting on the complaint, investigating officers traced one of the stolen bikes to Dalua village. Further investigation and interrogation of accused Manoj Dehuri led police to the arrest of Lulu Mohant, a key player in the gang.

Police revealed that the stolen bikes were taken to a repair shop operated by Biju Dehuri on Khuntuni Station Road, where number plates were tampered with before the vehicles were sold off in various locations.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of Choudwar SDPO Umakant Nayak, who confirmed the arrests and recovery. Further investigation is underway to trace more individuals possibly linked to the racket.