Conman takes two-wheeler from showroom for test drive, escapes

The man came to the used vehicles showroom in an autorickshaw and made its driver bargain for him, which made the shop staff believe that they were together. Only when the man failed to return from the test ride did the staff and the auto driver realise that both of them were conned.

The incident happened at Grace Bikes in Madipakkam that sells used bikes. On Thursday evening, a man in his early thirties came to the shop claiming that he was interested in a vehicle that he saw in an ad that the shop posted on Olx. As the shop owner John was not there, his brother Edwin was taking care of the shop.

The customer was initially interested in a Duke bike. But it was not in the proper condition so Edwin asked him to return after a few days. He then zeroed in on another bike, this time a Pulsar 220NS. He then began negotiating with Edwin over the price, and was joined by auto driver. After agreeing upon a price, he asked for a test drive before making the purchase. He asked the auto driver to wait at the shop.

But even after an hour went by, the man failed to return. Growing suspicious, Edwin asked the driver to call the man to find out where he is. But much to his shock, the latter said he didn’t know the man before picking him up from St Thomas Mount railway station a little while earlier. During the ride, the man told the auto driver that he wanted to buy a bike but that he was not good at bargaining. He then asked the driver’s help in negotiating for a good price, and offered to pay him Rs 500 if he succeeded in driving a bargain. The thief, seemingly a smooth talker, even convinced the driver into letting him use his mobile phone to make a call to John, the shop owner.

Based on a complaint, the Madipakkam police have registered a case and are trying to identify the thief with the help of CCTV footage. They have and also have detained the auto driver for inquiry.