Police have busted a gang of motorcycle lifters, arresting seven people who used to steal bikes from market places and sell those to spend the money on their girlfriends.

A police officer looking after the case said: "The gang mainly comprises youngsters and many of them are college students. They used to lift these bikes, change the registration number plates and sell it in neighbouring districts of Patna. The gang used to purchase items such as mobile phones and other expensive gifts for their girlfriends."

The police have seized seven bikes from their possession. Based on a tip-off, the Ram Krishna Nagar police raided a spot near RK Nagar and nabbed two persons, Hrithik Kumar and Ravi Kumar. After interrogation, the cops came to know that both of them were leading the gang and there were five other members.

Ram Krishna Nagar police station house officer Ranjan Kumar said: "The members are youngsters from middle-class families who got into crime to make quick money and impress their friends, relatives and others."

He added: "The police came to know about the gang we received a bike theft complaint at the Chowk police station area. Patna SSP Manu Maharaaj had asked the Chowk police and other police stations to take up the case on a priority basis as there were regular complaints about bike thefts from different police stations.

On patrol duty at the Bypass Road, the RK Nagar police intercepted two youngsters, who neither had their licence nor any documents. Later, the duo confessed that they used to steal bikes from the market area and sell it in Hajipur, Chapra and other neighbouring districts after changing the registration number. Based on inputs, the police raided a spot near RK Nagar and arrested five others.

Ranjan said: "Hrithik had cases against him at Jakkanpur and Agamkuan police stations, while Ravi was arrested by the RK Nagar police station earlier in connection with bike thefts."

The SHO claimed that cops were investigating whether the youths were members of a biker gang, as the modus operandi looked similar. Sources said biker gangs, apart from lifting bikes, were also involved in chain snatching.

Sources said in majority of such incidents, members are not professional criminals.

A senior police officer said: "Cases of chain and mobile snatching have gone up in the past few months. As the criminals involved in such incidents are not professional criminals, police have no records. We have also come to know that youngsters from middle-class families who have joined bikers gangs are mainly involved in such incidents to make quick money."