Gas Delivery Agent Arrested for Major LPG Cylinder Theft in Visakhapatnam
In a significant crackdown on fuel-related crime, the Visakhapatnam City Police apprehended a gas delivery agent on Sunday for allegedly absconding with a large quantity of LPG cylinders. The arrest highlights the exploitation of the ongoing LPG crisis by unscrupulous individuals seeking to profit from the shortage.
Details of the Arrest and Investigation
The accused, identified as Y Appa Rao, aged 33 and a native of Guddipa village in Anakapalle district, was taken into custody by the Gajuwaka police. A case had been registered against him on Saturday following a formal complaint from the management of the Manikanta Indane Gas Agency located in Chinagantyada.
Appa Rao had been employed with the agency for approximately two years. According to police investigations, he exploited the current LPG supply crisis by collecting one-time passwords (OTPs), empty cylinders, and cash payments from customers under the pretext of delivering refilled cylinders. Instead of fulfilling these promises, he diverted the cylinders for personal gain.
Scale of the Theft and Recovery Efforts
The investigation uncovered that Rao misappropriated a total of 42 LPG cylinders. This included 33 cylinders from customers residing in Kanithi Road and Chinagantyada areas, along with nine cylinders that belonged directly to the gas agency. In addition to the cylinders, he allegedly took ₹13,500 in cash collected from customers.
Police reports indicate that instead of returning the cylinders to the agency or delivering them to rightful customers, Rao sold the cylinders at inflated prices to private individuals who did not possess proper gas connections. This illicit activity not only defrauded customers but also exacerbated the local LPG shortage.
Apprehension and Ongoing Probe
Authorities stated that Rao had been evading capture for ten days prior to his arrest. He was eventually traced back to his native village in Anakapalle district, where he was taken into custody. During the operation, police managed to recover three of the stolen cylinders.
The investigation remains active as law enforcement officials work to locate the remaining missing cylinders and gather further evidence. This case underscores the challenges faced by consumers during periods of fuel scarcity and the measures being taken by police to combat related crimes.
