Andhra Pradesh: Police nab cell tower battery thieves in Anantapur district

TIRUPATI: A special team of the Anantapur district police wing nabbed an eight-member gang of notorious thieves involved in multiple theft offences and seized 203 grams of gold, 3 two-wheelers, a goods carrier auto, 39 cell tower batteries and cash near Aravakur cross in Kuderu mandal of Anantapur district on Wednesday.

According to Atmakur circle inspector M Krishna Reddy, following a spike in cell tower batteries theft incidents across the district, a special police team was formed to investigate the case and arrest those behind the incidents on the advise of Anantapur SP B Satya Yesu Babu.

The special team investigating the case found out that the prime accused in the case identified as M Ranjith Kumar (32) was the mastermind behind the multiple theft incidents in which cell tower batteries were reportedly stolen in the recent past.

Police found out that Ranjith Kumar who worked with a private mobile network service provider lost his job due to the lockdown and was working as a car driver. He connived with 7 other friends who were all addicted to various vices and the gang together robbed off more than 40 cell tower batteries so far. Police also found out that the gang was also involved in other theft offences.

The special team led by inspector M Krishna Reddy managed to arrest the 8 member gang which was on the move near Aravakuru cross in Kuderu mandal on Wednesday.

The other accused were identified as K Jayaramulu, B Mahesh, T Nagesh, Sheikh Rahamtullah, Sheikh Siraj, A Seena and G Dhananjaya Yadav. Police also seized stolen property including gold, cell tower batteries, two wheelers etc from the possession of the accused.