Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Pune Police Bust Inter-State Transformer Theft Gang, Arrest Three
Police in Pune say they have arrested three men in a transformer theft case.
Transformers help provide electricity, and the thieves allegedly removed copper wires from them.
Police stopped the men in a goods vehicle in Wadegaon after receiving information about the suspected thefts.
The three men are from Uttar Pradesh and were living in Pune district.
Police say they admitted taking copper from eight transformers over five to six months.
The alleged thefts happened in several areas covered by Lonikand Police Station.
Officers recovered property worth Rs 12.73 lakh.
They are now checking whether more people were involved and where the copper was being sold.
Pune Crime Branch arrested three men allegedly involved in stealing transformers’ copper wires.
Police intercepted their goods tempo in Wadegaon on Sunday following confidential information.
The accused allegedly confessed to stealing copper wires from eight transformers over five to six months.
Police recovered stolen property worth Rs 12.73 lakh and linked the arrests to eight Lonikand cases.
Investigators are probing possible additional gang members and where the copper was sold.
- Who
- Pune Crime Branch arrested Mohammed Sahebjaan Mangrekhan, Adarsh Chandraprakash Pandey and Chandrasen Shivratan Dharia, all originally from Uttar Pradesh.
- What
- An alleged inter-state gang involved in stealing transformers and copper wires was busted, with three arrests and property worth Rs 12.73 lakh recovered.
- When
- The suspects were intercepted on Sunday; police said the alleged thefts occurred over the previous five to six months.
- Where
- The arrests took place in Wadegaon, in Haveli taluka, while the alleged thefts occurred in Wadegaon, Ashtapur, Sangvi Sandas, Nhavi Sandas and Hingangaon.
- Why
- Police said the suspects stole copper wires from transformers, and investigators are examining possible accomplices and the sale of the stolen material.
- Arrests
- Three men were arrested.
- Recovered property
- Property worth Rs 12.73 lakh was recovered.
- Alleged thefts
- Copper wires were allegedly stolen from eight transformers.
- Time period
- The alleged thefts took place over five to six months.
- Arrest location
- Wadegaon, Haveli taluka, Pune district.
- Police cases
- Eight cases at Lonikand Police Station were linked to the arrests.
- Applicable laws
- Police cited Section 324(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 136 of the Indian Electricity Act.