Pune: Pimpri Chinchwad Police Arrest Six in Transformer Theft Case
Reported by Varad Bhatkhande
Pimpri Chinchwad, 31st July 2024: Pimpri Chinchwad Police have arrested six notorious history-sheeters for stealing electrical transformers belonging to the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) from various locations. Complaints were made when farmers and industries in the area started experiencing electricity issues. These thefts occurred under the jurisdiction of Mahalunge MIDC Police Station, with eight cases registered.
Mahalunge MIDC Police have arrested the gang leader Ramesh, also known as Rahul Balu Padwal (age 27), Sunil, also known as Sairat Shivaji Gawade (age 29), Usman Bilal Abdul Abbuharera (age 20), Karthik Namdev Pawar (age 25), all residents of Khed Taluka, along with brothers Sunil Suresh Gawade (age 23) and Ravindra Suresh Gawade (age 24), both residents of Ambegaon Taluka. This theft was considered a petty organized crime.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 3) Dr. Shivaji Pawar, incidents of electricity being cut off started increasing under the jurisdiction of Mahalunge MIDC Police Station. The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) had set up multiple electricity transformers in the area to ensure a smooth electricity supply to the farmers and the new Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). Since many of the theft locations were in remote areas, the police faced challenges in solving these cases.
Through technical investigation and interrogation, the police initially identified and arrested two suspects. Following their interrogation, four more suspects were arrested. The accused confessed to stealing the copper plates from the electrical transformers, which they then sold. The police have confiscated an Indica car and tools used for the theft, all valued at Rs 8 lakh. Eight cases of transformer theft have been registered against the accused at the Mahalunge MIDC Police Station.
History of Vehicle Theft
The main accused, Rahul Padwal, is a notorious history-sheeter with previous vehicle theft cases registered against him. Cases against him were registered at Mahalunge MIDC, Chakan, and Hinjawadi Police Stations. From his involvement in vehicle theft, Padwal got the idea to steal electric transformers belonging to MSEDCL and sell their copper plates for more money.
“Took Their Time to Steal”
All the locations from which transformers were stolen are remote areas, giving the accused ample time to commit the thefts. The oil in electrical transformers is available in large quantities and is very hot. The accused would somehow cut off the electricity supply, disconnect the transformers, and wait for the oil to cool before stealing the copper.
This operation was conducted under the guidance of Pimpri Chinchwad Commissioner of Police Vinoy Kumar Choubey, Joint Commissioner of Police Dr. Shashikant Mahavarkar, Additional Commissioner of Police Vasant Pardeshi, and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 3). The team included Assistant Commissioner of Police (Chakan Division), Senior Police Inspector Nitin Gite, Assistant Police Inspector Kalyan Ghadge, and Police Constables Raju Konkeri, Yuvraj Birajdar, Tanaji Gade, Vitthal Wadekar, Amol Borate, Prakash Chaphale, Kishore Sangale, Santosh Kale, Ganesh Gaikwad, Shivaji Lokhande, Santosh Waykar, Rajendra Khedkar, Amol Mate, Mangesh Kadam, Sharad Khaire, and Raju Jadhav.
