Mumbai: Powai police busted a gas cylinder theft racket operating across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane, seized 45 stolen gas cylinders and arrested a habitual offender involved in multiple theft cases.Police said the racket came to light after a motorcycle theft was registered at Powai Police Station. During the investigation, police found that the stolen two-wheeler was used to carry out gas cylinder thefts at various locations. Based on technical surveillance and inputs from informants, police arrested Raj Chandrakant Kamble (18), a resident of Thane, and recovered the stolen motorcycle used in the crimes. The accused was involved in at least 15 theft cases registered across several police stations. A Powai police officer said that during the probe they found out that the gang got activated and was involved in stealing gas cylinders ever since the Iran war broke out. The stolen cylinders are sold at higher price to those who want the cylinder immediately. “LPG cylinder thefts have increased in Mumbai amid shortages caused by West Asia conflict-related supply disruptions. Major incidents include 27 cylinders stolen from a parked delivery tempo in Charkop and the recovery of 45 cylinders by Powai police. Residents have resorted to chaining cylinders for security,” said the officer.
