Surat: The Surat crime branch arrested two men for allegedly stealing 155 inverter batteries from 55 traffic signal points across the city since July.The accused, identified as Rajeshkumar Tiwari (38) and Lalmani Pandey (32) were arrested from Godadara on Saturday following a tip-off.Police recovered six batteries worth Rs 33,000, a key allegedly used to open battery boxes, a scooter and two mobile phones. The total value of the seized items was estimated at Rs 1.5 lakh.According to police, Tiwari works as a master at a textile factory in Pandesara GIDC, while Pandey runs a battery business from a rented shop in Godadara. Both have studied up to Class XII.Police said Tiwari allegedly posed as a traffic signal maintenance worker and travelled on Pandey’s scooter between 2pm and 3pm. The duo targeted battery boxes installed at traffic signals, opening them by breaking locks or using duplicate keys.Police said the thefts were reported from signal points falling under 16 police station areas. The accused allegedly sold the stolen batteries to Pandey for around Rs 1,000 each, after which they were disposed of as scrap.The targeted locations included areas such as Udhna, Dindoli, Limbayat, Vesu, Varachha, Sarthana, Pandesara and Utran. Police said one detected case involved the theft of a battery at Breadliner Circle junction. The accused were handed over to Khatodara police for further investigation.
