27 gas cylinders stolen from delivery tempo in Mumbai; probe underway

A major theft has been reported in Mumbai’s Charkop area of Kandivali West, where unidentified persons allegedly stole 27 LPG cylinders from a delivery tempo amid concerns over a cooking gas shortage. 

According to the Mumbai Police, the incident occurred on the intervening night of March 25 and 26. The thieves targeted a gas distribution vehicle and escaped with 27 cylinders — five filled and 22 empty.

A case has been registered at Charkop Police Station against unknown persons, and efforts are underway to identify those involved.

The complaint was filed by Nandkumar Ramraj Soni (35), a resident of Malad West, who has been working with Shriji Gas Service for the past seven years. He uses a tempo to deliver LPG cylinders door-to-door, which serves as his family’s primary source of livelihood.

Police said Soni completed his deliveries on March 25 and parked the vehicle in the Charkop area around 11 p.m., leaving cylinders loaded for the next day. When he returned at about 8 a.m. on March 26, he found the tempo damaged, with its glass window smashed and rear lock broken. On checking, he discovered that all the cylinders had been stolen. The total value of the stolen items is estimated at around ?15,500.

After confirming with colleagues that the cylinders had not been moved, Soni approached the police and lodged a complaint. Investigators have formed multiple teams and are examining CCTV footage that reportedly shows suspicious individuals and vehicles.

Officials are also questioning people connected to scrap markets and illegal gas trade networks as part of the probe. Police said the case is being investigated from all angles and expressed confidence that the accused will be caught soon.

With inputs from IANS