Diesel Theft Gang Busted by Nalgonda Police: Six Arrested

Hyderabad: The Nalgonda police arrested six thieves belonging to a gang who were stealing diesel from trucks parked on roadsides. The accused would were selling the stolen fuel to different people. After the arrests, the police seized Innova vehicles from them. According to Nalgonda SP Chandana Deepti, the apprehended criminals were identified as Banawat Balabaddunayak alias Balu Nayak, Banawat Gobind Naik, Merajut Srinu Naik, Mudawat Venkateshwarlu Naik , Vadtya Raju Nayak S/o Harinayak and Merajut Babri Naik are residents of Sitarampuram Thanda, Palnadu district in A.P. The gang would operate in three three Innovas and a Xilo vehicle, said Deepti. The accused would identify lorries parked along the highways of Nalgonda and Suryapet districts at night and after confirming the drivers were asleep. They would then break the tank lock or remove the screws and siphon-off fuel. “They used to fill diesel in cans with the help of a pipe and transport them to Andhra Pradesh state in their vehicles without any suspicion and sell the stolen diesel and earn money,” said the SP. In the last one month, about 1500 liters of diesel was purchased from the gang by Nenavat Taku Naik of Kondrapole village of Damaracherla mandal. Presently he is absconding. Cases are booked against the gang in Wadapally, Miryalaguda – I Town, Miryalaguda Rural, Madgualapally, Chityala, Narketpally and Kattangur police stations.

Hyderabad, 6th March 2024: In a recent crackdown on fuel theft, the Nalgonda police have successfully apprehended six members of a gang involved in stealing diesel from trucks parked along highways. The culprits, hailing from Sitarampuram Thanda in Palnadu district, Andhra Pradesh, were reportedly operating in three Innovas and a Xilo vehicle.

Led by Nalgonda SP Chandana Deepti, the police action came after a series of reported incidents involving the theft of diesel from parked trucks. According to Deepti, the modus operandi of the gang involved identifying lorries parked along the highways of Nalgonda and Suryapet districts during the night, ensuring the drivers were asleep, and then siphoning off fuel by breaking tank locks or removing screws.

The stolen diesel was then transported to Andhra Pradesh in their vehicles without raising suspicion, where it was sold for profit. The gang had managed to sell approximately 1500 liters of stolen diesel in the past month alone.

One notable aspect of this case is the involvement of a buyer, Nenavat Taku Naik of Kondrapole village, Damaracherla mandal, who allegedly purchased diesel from the gang. Naik is currently absconding, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation.

Cases have been registered against the gang in multiple police stations including Wadapally, Miryalaguda – I Town, Miryalaguda Rural, Madgualapally, Chityala, Narketpally, and Kattangur.

This swift action by the Nalgonda police underscores their commitment to tackling organized crime and ensuring the safety and security of citizens and their property. Such operations serve as a deterrent to potential criminals and reinforce the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the community in combating illegal activities.