10 people arrested in Kavre for stealing six transformers

KATHMANDU: Police have arrested 10 individuals involved in stealing and selling electrical transformers across various locations in Kavre.

According to the District Police Office Kavre, an organized gang had removed six transformers from different sites in the district and sold the copper wire inside them.

The rise in transformer thefts prompted the mobilization of a special team, leading to the arrests.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rajkumar Shrestha, the spokesperson for Kavre, reported that a team from the Bhakundebesi Police Station and the Mangaltar Area Police Office initially detained seven suspects.

The arrested individuals are Bishnu Bahadur Sarki, Pralhad Basnet, Sunil Basnet, Dikul Khatri, Pravin Basnet, Jagannath Basnet, Santosh BK, Rajesh BK, Kumar BK, and Prem Mijar.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the stolen copper wire was sold at various scrap shops in Bhaktapur.

A joint team from Bhaktapur’s Jagate Police Circle has since arrested three additional gang members and conducted searches at several scrap shops, seizing items such as copper wire.

DSP Shrestha noted that the gang planned their thefts meticulously, targeting transformers during the night under the guise of collecting scrap.

They had stolen transformers intended for settlements, drinking water, and irrigation.