08 September,2026 02:35 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondent
Representational image. File pic
The Pune Crime Branch has busted an alleged inter-state gang involved in stealing transformers and copper wires from them in and around the city, arresting three people and recovering stolen property worth Rs 12.73 lakh, police said on Tuesday.
The arrests were made by the Crime Branch's Unit 7 following confidential information about suspected transformer thieves planning to arrive in the Wadegaon area of Haveli taluka.
According to police, constable Vinayak Salve received the information while the team was on patrol. Police Inspector Wahid Pathan then directed PSI Rahul Kolpe to verify the tip and take legal action.
A police team subsequently laid a trap in Wadegaon and intercepted a goods tempo, bearing registration number MH-12-GT-6675, on Sunday.
Three men travelling in the vehicle were detained and questioned. Police identified them as Mohammed Sahebjaan Mangrekhan, 30, Adarsh Chandraprakash Pandey, 22, and Chandrasen Shivratan Dharia, 28.
Police said all three accused are originally from Uttar Pradesh and were residing in Pune district.
During questioning, the accused allegedly confessed to stealing copper wires from eight transformers over a period of five to six months, police said.
The alleged thefts took place in Wadegaon, Ashtapur, Sangvi Sandas, Nhavi Sandas and Hingangaon areas under the jurisdiction of Lonikand Police Station.
According to police, the arrests helped solve eight cases registered at Lonikand Police Station under Section 324(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 136 of the Indian Electricity Act.
Police recovered stolen material valued at Rs 12.73 lakh during the operation. The three accused have been arrested and further investigation is underway.
Investigators are also probing whether other people were involved in the alleged gang and are attempting to identify the destination and buyers of the stolen copper material, police said.
The latest arrests come months after Pimpri-Chinchwad Police arrested three alleged members of another gang accused of involvement in 48 transformer theft cases across Pune district.
Chakan North police had uncovered that case while investigating the alleged theft of copper wires from a transformer installed at Nexus Healthcare in Biradwadi village in Khed taluka.
The theft was reported to have taken place between May 15 and 16. Police had arrested three people in connection with that case on May 27.
The latest investigation will now focus on establishing the full extent of the alleged gang's activities and tracing the stolen material.
(With inputs from IANS)
