On Friday evening, Varachha police intercepted two youths in the Khandbazaar area, who were travelling on a motorcycle (GJ-5AS-898), on suspicion. The duo failed to give satisfactory answers when questioned, following which, they were detained. During interrogation, they broke down and confessed to have stolen the motorcycle from the parking lot of SMIMER Hospital at Sahara Darwaja. They were later arrested. The two were identified as Nilesh Somani (19), a resident of Swaminarayan Society, Punagam and Jitendra Hirpara (20), a resident of Sargam Park, Punagam.

The two told the police that it was the first time that they had stolen any motorcycle. They had been employed at a diamond unit in Varachha but lost their jobs three months ago. They also confessed that they were following the instructions of one Nilesh Rakholia of Satyanarayan Society in Punagam. Rakholia was later arrested.

The police said Rakholia was involved in several vehicle thefts in the last one year. He would steal vehicles from Surat and sell them to Rafik Shaikh and Rakesh Chauhan of Ankleshwar at lower prices. Varachha police also arrested Rafik and Rakesh and seized eight motorcycles from them.

Inspector V B Patel of Varachha police said: “Nilesh Somani and Jitendra Hirpara had been working in a diamond unit at Varachha, but have been jobless for the last three months. The duo came in contact with Nilesh Rakholia and learnt how to steal motorcycles without keys. We suspect many more motorcycles might be recovered in the coming days.”

Earlier on Monday, Valsad police had arrested two diamond polishers — Arvind Patel, a resident of Rachna society in Varachha and Anil Solanki, a resident of Ramkrupa society in Varachha — from Parnera village in Valsad district and seized country made liquor worth Rs 62,000 from their possession.