In a scene based around high-octane sandalwood movie sequences, a Bengaluru biker took things into his hands to restore his stolen motorcycle. Showcasing the power of technology married with brute determination, the bike rider tracked, chased, then picked up his bike within two hours, leaving his attackers empty-handed and in a run for their lives.
The Midnight Theft
The incident took place in the quiet Jakkur neighborhood of North Bengaluru. Ankit Keni, a passionate biker who lived in the area, owned a high-end, modified Hero Xpulse, a motorcycle marked for off-roading. Just like any other night, there was a carefully parked bike near his house. But the occupants broke past the locks behind them and fled, in the dark around 2:00 AM.
The Power of Technology: GPS to the Rescue
When Ankit discovered his motorcycle had gone missing soon after the theft, he didn’t just panic — he acted. His bike fortunately had a GPS tracking device. As Ankit looked at his smartphone he saw that his bike had been on the go nearly 30 km from Jakkur. Ankit then knew, since time had flown by and if he was waiting for a regular police patrol answer might bring about the loss of the signal, but did not delay in alerting his close friends. Within a few minutes, a handful of avid riders set off on the high-speed mission to catch the thieves, their real-time location data flashing on Ankit’s screen.
The High-Stakes Chase
Ankit and his friends followed the tracking data toward Narayanaghatta. They found the stolen Xpulse, which was being ridden by a stranger nearby, along with an auto-rickshaw with three other accomplices. What happened next was a "filmy style" chase through the deserted midnight streets. Ankit and his buddies started chasing the suspects at breakneck speed. The thieves panicked once they realized they were being pursued by a group that was quicker and more fierce. The distance closing in on the pursuers near a secluded stretch as the gap between them and the thieves grew smaller, the pressure reached too much for the crooks.
Recovery and Escape
With no hope for escape, the thief driving the Xpulse abruptly left the bike on the side of the road. He hopped into the waiting auto-rickshaw along with a group of three others, the gang charged into the dark. As much as the thieves escaped in the short term, Ankit’s main mission worked out. And by 4:00 AM, two hours after the plunder at its heart, Ankit was standing next to his cherished motorcycle, unscathed and found.
A Lesson for Owners of Bike Cars
Ankit Keni’s tale has gone viral in the biking community of Bengaluru since, a testament to how vital vehicle security technology is. Ankit’s and his pals’ bravery makes for commendable action, but experts say recoveries are only feasible when vehicles are equipped with active GPS trackers. Bengaluru police have been notified of what happened and using the descriptions Ankit and his friends provided, as well as CCTV from the route of the chase, they have identified the four-member gang. For now, Ankit can take a break from the law, having shown that sometimes the owner is quicker than the law and the outlaw.
