Ranchi: Acting on a tip-off, two bike-lifters were arrested from the heart of the city near RIMS under Bariatu thana on Tuesday night. Two stolen bikes, seven ignition keys and two mobile phones were recovered from their possession.

Those arrested have been identified as Surendra Oraon (32), a resident of Dhanamunji in Lohardaga and Raj Kishore Singh (51) of Deokuli village in Hazaribagh.

The duo confessed they would steal bikes from residential areas and marketplaces in the city and sell them in rural areas. They also admitted that they had earlier been arrested and released on bail several times.

"Last night around 9.30pm we got a tip-off that one of the arrested duo will pass through RIMS Chowk on a stolen bike. Acting on the information a five-member team led by officer-in-charge Ajay Kumar Keshri was deputed at the location," said deputy superintendent of police (sadar) Vikash Chandra Srivastava at a news meet in Bariatu thana on Wednesday.

Police intercepted Raj, one of the bike-lifters, and also recovered a stolen bike - Hero Passion Pro with registration number JH-08E-1821 - from his possession.

"Seven ignition keys were found from his pocket. On questioning he confessed to his crime and informed about his aide Surendra Oroan who was on his way to meet him," said SP Srivastava, adding Surendra was caught from a location near Arogya Bhavan with another stolen bike Hero Splendor Pro with registration number JH08E-8813.

Bariatu OC Keshri said both the accused were produced before the court, from where they were forwarded to Birsa Munda Central Jail for a 14-day judicial custody.

"We are further questioning them on how many more bikes have they stolen," said Keshri.