With the ban on vehicle imports and restrictions in spare parts imports, there is a new tendency developing around the country with theft of cars, three wheelers and motorcycles for the purpose of spare parts, the police have warned.
With the Corona virus pandemic, to reduce the congestion in prisons, more than 2000 inmates who have been imprisoned for minor offenses have been released.
Investigations have revealed some of these released prisoners who are addicted to drugs are involved in this racket, Aruna Newspaper reported.
During last December alone, the police have received complaints of 68 motorcycles, 65 three-wheelers and 8 cars stolen in different parts of the country.
Police spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana has said that additional police officers have been deployed in areas where more thefts are being reported. He also said that the police will take all necessary measures to arrest the offenders and put an end to this racket.
Video footage of the Side Mirrors theft that took place in Barnes Place, Colombo-07 recently