Virar thieves steal live transformer

Thieves dressed in fake khakhi uniforms to look like linesmen of Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB), executed a meticulously planned robbery when they stole an entire live transformer from Virar. To avoid suspicion, one of them even introduced himself as a MSEB junior officer when locals enquired. The robbers also used a heavy-duty crane to expedite the theft. Not afraid of the fact that the transformer was live and functional, the thieves went on with the operation by cutting the main supply to the transformer!

On Tuesday at around 2:30 pm, six robbers posing as MSEB officials arrived at Khandanwadi village on the Umbergaothan - Navapur road in Agashi, Virar, along with a crane and started their operation of dismantling the transformer. When locals inquired about the same, the thieves confidently told them that the MSEB officer had massive plans to replace old transformers with new ones. The locals believed them.

The entire operation went smoothly. It was only in the evening that the villagers and MSEB came to ask about the theft as the former had called the latter, enquiring about whether the new transformer was reaching anytime soon as it would soon be dark and they wanted power to be switched on.

The MSEB, Virar, swung into action and reached the spot to find the whole transformer gone and the nearby houses in the dark as there was no power. The MSEB has registered a case of theft under Section 379 of the IPC against unknown persons.