City cops nab 6 for chemical pilferage in Dombivli

THANE: The Thane crime branch, unit-1, has arrested six persons for chemical pilferage during the wee hours of Friday at Manpada in Dombivli. The sleuths also seized chemicals and trucks worth Rs 71 lakh.
Investigating officer A A Bhujbal said that they had received a tip off about the incident. Immediately, a team was formed and a trap was laid near Pranay engineering company, in MIDC area, Dombivli.‘‘When our team reached the spot, we found the accused breaking the valve of a chemical tank and filling drums with the stolen chemical known as toluene,’’ said Bhujbal.
The cops caught the accused red handed and seized the drums filled with the chemicals. During investigation, the accused said that they were planning to sell the stolen chemical in the grey market and make some quick money.
‘‘The accused said that five persons were supposed to purchase the stolen chemical and all of them were residents of Bhiwandi. They used to call them often and purchase chemicals for Rs 50 per liter, despite the market price being Rs 300 per liter,’’ Bhujbal said.
‘‘We have collected the sample of the chemical and it has been sent to a laboratory for testing,’’ he added. A case has been registered and the accused have been booked under Sections 379, 407, 411 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. Further investigations are on in the case.