The Charkop Police have apprehended a suspect in connection with a large-scale theft reported in Kandivali West, where 27 LPG cylinders were stolen from a delivery vehicle. The crime occurred during the late hours between March 25 and 26. Authorities said the accused specifically targeted a tempo used for gas distribution and fled with the cylinders. Among the stolen items were five filled cylinders and 22 empty ones. The theft raised concerns over the security of delivery vehicles operating in residential areas during nighttime hours, prompting a swift response from the local police team.
As per reports, the arrested individual has been identified as 32-year-old tempo driver Manoj Sharma. Investigators believe he intended to sell the stolen cylinders through illegal channels at inflated prices to make quick profits. Police sources further revealed that the accused has a long criminal history, allegedly linked to more than 60 cases involving theft and housebreaking across Mumbai, Mira Bhayandar, and Vasai Virar. Officials are continuing their probe to trace other possible accomplices who may have been involved in the operation and to uncover the full extent of the network.
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Authorities have also recovered goods valued at approximately Rs 6 lakh in connection with the case, according to another report. The complaint regarding the theft was initially filed by Nandkumar Ramraj Soni, a 35-year-old delivery agent who had been working with Shriji Gas Service in Charkop for the past seven years. He reported the incident soon after discovering the missing cylinders from the tempo. His timely complaint helped police initiate an investigation, which eventually led to the arrest and recovery of a significant portion of the stolen property.
In a separate but similar incident, Powai Police recently arrested a 45-year-old man for allegedly stealing LPG cylinders from multiple locations. During the operation, officers recovered 45 stolen cylinders along with three motorcycles. The accused, identified as Raj Chandrakant Kamble from Thane’s Vartaknagar area, had reportedly been targeting areas across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane. Police also detained two of his associates, who were suspected of assisting him in selling the stolen cylinders in the black market, further highlighting an ongoing pattern of such crimes in the region.