Six-member gang stealing copper from transformers held

Pune: A gang of six members who allegedly stole copper wires from transformers in Pimpri Chinchwad area was arrested by Pimpri Chinchwad crime branch on Friday.A crime branch team led by senior police inspector Arjun Ghode-Patil arrested the accused: Jayram Salunke (29) of Moshi, Suraj Phad (21) of Chikhali, Sachin Phad (26) of Moshi, Mohammed Salmani (24), Manoj Chaudhari (25) and Anuj Kumar Gautam (23), all from Chikhali, based on a tip-off.Ghode-Patil said, “The gang members admitted to stealing copper from transformers in the Talegaon MIDC and Chikhali areas. We have detected nine recent thefts committed by them. We recovered copper cables, a truck, a car and a two-wheeler, collectively worth Rs20 lakh, from the gang.”Police are further investigating whether the gang was involved in more thefts.