10 UP gang members arrested in Kerala for copper wire thefts across Thrissur, Kannur
Synopsis
A Meerut-based gang with a strikingly methodical approach — flying into Kerala while shipping their motorcycles by train — has been busted for copper wire thefts across Thrissur and Kannur. The 10 arrests reveal a cross-state criminal network that exploited bulk copper storage at telephone exchanges, and investigators believe the same playbook was run in other states.
Key Takeaways
Kerala police arrested 10 members of a Meerut, Uttar Pradesh -based gang on 21 September 2026 .
The gang flew to Kerala while sending their motorcycles by train to Kochi railway stations — ensuring ready transport on arrival.
Preferred targets included locked houses, offices, and telephone exchanges holding large quantities of copper wiring.
Rehan , the first arrested member, revealed the modus operandi during interrogation by Thrissur police .
Four members were arrested from Kochi and five from Kannur; police are now probing similar thefts in other states.
Kerala police in Thrissur and Kannur have arrested 10 members of an Uttar Pradesh-based gang on 21 September 2026, accused of travelling to Kerala specifically to steal copper wires and valuables from locked houses, offices, and telephone exchanges. The arrests exposed an unusually calculated modus operandi that investigators say was replicated across multiple states.
How the Gang Operated
All 10 arrested individuals are natives of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh. According to police, the gang would dispatch their motorcycles from Meerut to railway stations in Kochi by train, then fly to Kerala separately. Upon landing, members would collect their two-wheelers and split into smaller groups to scout for targets — ensuring they had private, untraceable transport ready immediately after arrival.
The scheme came to light during the interrogation of Rehan, the first gang member taken into custody by Thrissur police. Rehan's disclosures reportedly triggered a chain of arrests across two districts.
Targets and Method of Theft
The gang's preferred targets were locked premises containing large quantities of copper wiring — particularly telephone exchanges and similar establishments, which hold the material in bulk. After identifying a location, the group allegedly broke in, stripped the copper wires and other valuables, sold the stolen material, and moved on to the next site.
Copper wire theft is a recurring problem across India, with telecommunications and power infrastructure among the most frequently targeted assets. This gang's cross-state logistics, however, mark a departure from locally operated theft rings.
Arrests Across Two Districts
Acting on information provided by Rehan, police arrested four additional gang members from Kochi. A separate team in Kannur apprehended five more who were allegedly in the middle of their operations. Including Rehan, the total count of detained members stands at 10.
Investigation Now Underway
Investigators are currently cross-referencing the arrested persons against theft cases reported in other states where the gang is believed to have operated using the same method. Police are also working to trace the stolen copper and other material already disposed of, and to map the full extent of the network's activities within Kerala. Questioning of the arrested members is ongoing to identify all targeted locations and potential associates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were 10 UP gang members arrested in Kerala?
Police in Thrissur and Kannur arrested 10 members of a Meerut-based gang on 21 September 2026 for allegedly stealing copper wires and valuables from locked houses, offices, and telephone exchanges across Kerala. The gang had been operating across multiple states using the same method.
What was the unusual modus operandi of the gang?
The gang sent their motorcycles from Meerut to Kochi railway stations by train, then flew separately to Kerala and collected the two-wheelers on arrival. They then split into smaller groups to scout and rob targets, ensuring ready private transport without attracting attention at car-hire points.
How did Kerala police uncover the gang's plan?
The modus operandi came to light during the interrogation of Rehan, the first gang member arrested by Thrissur police. His disclosures led to the arrest of four more members in Kochi and five in Kannur.
Why did the gang target telephone exchanges and offices?
According to police, telephone exchanges and similar establishments were particularly attractive because they store copper wiring in large quantities, allowing the gang to steal bulk material and sell it quickly before moving on.
What happens next in the investigation?
Police are questioning all 10 arrested persons to map the full network, identify every location targeted in Kerala, and trace stolen copper already sold. Investigators are also checking whether the gang was responsible for similar thefts in other states.
