Gang held for stealing diesel from trucks, police vehicles in Vellore

A four-member gang was arrested by Veppamkuppam police for stealing diesel from parked trucks, lorries and police vehicles at various places in Vellore on Sunday.

Police said the arrested persons were identified as S. Ilavarasan (21), E. Rajesh (26), M. Ajith (25) and R. Rajesh (25). They are residents of Odugathur area in Vellore. They are childhood friends and were school dropouts. Around 250 litres of diesel in 18 barrels, 15 empty barrels and a two-wheeler were also seized from the gang.

Initial inquiry revealed that the district police have been receiving regular complaints on diesel theft from vehicles parked on arterial stretches in the district for the past few weeks. Apart from fuel, spare parts including batteries and spare wheels in vehicles were also being stolen.

Special Teams

Based on orders of A. Mayilvaganan, Superintendent of Police (SP), Vellore, special teams were formed to patrol suspected spots during night. During the  patrol, a police team found suspect Ilavarasan waiting near a truck on the stretch. When questioned by police, he gave contradictory answers.

Upon investigation, Illavarasan told police that they target trucks and lorries parked on arterial stretches as these vehicles contain a large volume of fuel in them. The gang also steals fuel from parked school and police vehicles in less crowded areas during night. They sell stolen fuel in the black market in neighbouring Tiruvannamalai and Tirupattur districts.

Police said that Illavarasan also told them about three other gang members who were involved in the theft for the past two years in the district. Police laid a trap by making Illavarasan tell his gang members that diesel had been stolen from a few vehicles on the stretch. The gang members came to the spot where they were rounded up by the police.

A case was registered by Veppamkuppam police. All of them were lodged at Central prison in Vellore. A probe is underway.