Chatushrungi police have arrested four men for allegedly stealing 200 metres of heavy copper cable from a public sector telecom company at Parihar Chowk in Aundh on September 17.
The accused were identified as Nasarul Bilal Mohammed (23), Sanjeevkumar Shrisevaram Verma (37), Waris Fakir Mohammed (35), all residents of Laxminagar, Delhi, and Faheem Ahmed Sharif Ahmed Shaikh (42) from Lohegaon. Shaikh, who drives an autorickshaw locally, reportedly knew the other suspects.
Assistant Police Inspector Aniket Pote explained that the gang used a heavy-duty crane, a tempo, and Shaikh’s autorickshaw, along with barricades and tools, to steal the cable. They wore reflective jackets, helmets, and safety shoes to appear as legitimate workers and avoid suspicion.
The theft was discovered the next day when the company lodged a complaint. Police arrested the suspects on September 18 after studying CCTV footage that captured vehicle registration numbers used in the crime.
The investigation team, led by Senior Inspector Uttam Bhajnawale and assisted by Inspector Ashwini Nanaware and Pote, recovered the crane, autorickshaw, and other equipment, totaling Rs 29.35 lakh.
