A gang of six persons were arrested by Cheyyar police in Tiruvannamalai for stealing copper wires from electrical transformers that belong to Tangedco in the area.

The police said the arrested persons were identified as E. Abhagam, 18, Dharani, 23, Mohammed Yakub, 19, V. Sivaji, 22, S. Arjunan, 18, and Moideen, 45. Except Moideen, a metal scrap dealer in Cheyyar town, other three suspects are involved in petty crimes in the area.

Initial inquiry revealed that Tangedco officials found that copper wires in electrical transformers, especially those that were installed in agricultural lands to provide uninterrupted power supply for irrigation, were missing in at least 10 surrounding villages within Cheyyar, Moranam, and Dusi police limits. 

Special teams were formed to nab the suspects. During a routine inspection along the Cheyyar - Kanchipuram route, a police team intercepted Abhagam and Mohammed Yakub.

The police said the duo were brought to Cheyyar police station where they told police that they were involved in theft of copper wires. They also told police that they used to sell stolen copper wires to scrap merchant Moideen. A case was registered. The police also recovered a sum of ₹4 lakh from the gang. Arrested persons were lodged at sub-jail in Tiruvannamalai. A probe is under way.

Published - July 11, 2026 12:46 am IST