8 members of motorcycle theft gang arrested, 13 stolen vehicles recovered in Markapuram district - The HinduPublished - August 14, 2026 11:06 pm IST - MARKAPURAMPolice on Friday (August 14, 2026) arrested an eight-member inter-district motorcycle theft gang and recovered 13 two-wheelers worth approximately ₹17 lakh. They reportedly stole bikes from across Cumbum, Bestavaripeta, Markapuram, Kavali Rural (Nellore district), Vetapalem (Bapatla district), and Kondandapuram (Jogulamba Gadwal district, Telangana).Markapuram district SP V. Harshavardhan Raju after recent motorcycle thefts in these areas, issued specific directives on the investigation. Acting on his instructions, a joint team was formed and apprehended eight members of the gang, while attempting to sell stolen vehicles after altering their number plates at Y-junction in Cumbum village on Friday.The accused were identified as Pasuleti Rasul, Battula Srihari, Battula Srinu, Anneboyina Akhil Kumar, Sriram Prasanna Kumar, and Dudekula Babu from Bestavaripeta, and Juturi Emmanuel andThe accused were friends, who became addicted to alcohol and other vices. With the aim of making easy money, they decided to steal motorcycles.Targeting the parked motorcycles, they broke the side locks, pushed the vehicles a short distance, hot-wired them, and rode off. Subsequently, they hid the stolen vehicles in Bestavaripeta, Dattakonda, and Markapuram. The investigation revealed that 13 motorcycles were stolen from various locations between February 4, 2026, and August 13, 2026.Published - August 14, 2026 11:06 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }