BHOPAL: Two friends allegedly formed a gang and stole only domestic LPG cylinders to arrange money for alcohol and their expensive lifestyle. They took advantage of the situation created after the recent Iran-Israel-US conflict, which allegedly affected LPG supply and fetched them higher resale value.
Ratibad police have arrested one accused and recovered five stolen gas cylinders, along with a motorcycle and burglary tools, with total seized property valued at around Rs 1 lakh. The second accused is absconding.
Ratibad SHO RB Sharma said the accused, identified as Satish Rajput, 24, a resident of Narela Shankari, along with his associate Rahul Sharma of Ayodhya Bypass area, targeted locked houses during the day. They would break open locks and steal only LPG cylinders, which were easier to dispose of for quick cash.
The case surfaced on May 1 after a complainant reported that he had gone to Vidisha with his family for a wedding. On returning, he found the locks of his house broken. A domestic LPG cylinder and a bag containing a gas booklet, Aadhaar card, and Rs 500 cash were missing.
During investigation, police scanned footage from nearly 125 CCTV cameras installed in nearby lanes and main roads and also used technical surveillance and informer inputs. Based on leads, Satish was detained and, during interrogation, confessed to committing the thefts with Rahul.
Police recovered five cylinders from his possession. Officials said Satish has a prior case of cylinder theft registered at Bajaria police station.
Police added that a similar domestic LPG cylinder theft incident was recently reported in Koh-e-Fiza, where four cylinders were stolen from a lawyer's house, with CCTV footage going viral. Efforts are underway to arrest the absconding accused and recover more stolen property.
