Sivaganga police arrested five individuals who stole transformer copper wires worth several lakh rupees across Southern districts. Police seized 300 kg of copper wires and a cargo vehicle from the accused.In Sivaganga district, under Tiruppattur sub-division, copper wires worth ₹72,350 were stolen from Melapatti transformer near S.V. Mangalam on November 7, 2024. Similarly, in the S. Pudur area, three conductors and copper wires worth ₹2.74 lakhs were stolen on July 20, 2025.In the same manner, copper wires from transformers were continuously stolen in areas, including Pariyamaruthupatti, Mallakkottai, Singampunari, A. Thekkur, and Tiruppattur. Over the last two years, 800 kg of copper wires worth ₹10 lakhs were stolen, said sources.As a result, frequent power outages occurred in those areas. It also posed a major challenge to the electricity board officials in distributing electricity.Further, based on the complaints filed by the electricity board officials, the Ulagampatti police registered a case only for the theft that took place in the S. Pudur area. The electricity board personnel raised allegations against the police, stating that they refused to register cases regarding the other theft incidents.Following this, under the orders of the District Superintendent of Police R. Shiva Prasad a special team was formed led by Sub-Inspector Hari Krishnan.On Monday night, the special team police were engaged in vehicle checking at the Muthusamypatti junction near S.S. Kottai. At that time, a gang arrived in a cargo vehicle carrying a transformer and copper wires.Upon detaining and interrogating them, it came to light that they had stolen the transformer copper wires. Regarding this, the S.S. Kottai police registered a case and arrested five persons, identified as Karuppiah, 24, from Singampunari, Anthony Das, 76, from Natham in Dindigul district, Madhankumar, 19, from Chokkalingapuram in Madurai district, and two minors.A transformer, 300 kg of copper wires, a cargo vehicle, a two-wheeler, and other items were seized from them.Further investigation revealed that they had stolen transformer copper wires across southern districts, including Sivaganga, Madurai, and Pudukkottai. Published - June 09, 2026 07:54 pm IST