The special squad of the Commissionerate Police on Tuesday arrested a notorious vehicle looter for allegedly duping businessmen in Bhubaneswar by looting their cars on the pretext of buying it and asking for a test drive. Seven luxurious cars were seized from him. The accused was identified as Manoj Kumar Patra alias Mantu, who hails from Nischintakoili, Cuttack district. He was absconding with the car of a city-based businessman since July 29, police said.
According to them, Mantu was arrested from Kalarahanga on the city outskirts by tracking his hideouts. Mantu used to contact prospective buyers on the website ‘OlX’ for sale of the cars, police said. The police swung into action after one Satyanarayan Barik of Old Town lodged a complaint on July 29 in this regard.