Gujarat: Six arrested for stealing 733 kg copper wire in Bhavnagar
Synopsis
Bhavnagar's Local Crime Branch cracked a copper wire heist with a tip-off: six men caught red-handed near a mobile tower with 733 kg of stolen wire and a Hyundai Creta allegedly used in the job. The haul from Khushbu Metal on Talaja Highway is valued at over ₹21 lakh — but five alleged accomplices are still on the run.
Key Takeaways
Bhavnagar LCB arrested six men on 4 November 2026 for the alleged theft of 733 kg of copper wire from Khushbu Metal factory on the Talaja Highway .
Seized property includes copper wire worth ₹10.26 lakh , a Hyundai Creta worth ₹10 lakh , and six mobile phones worth ₹1.10 lakh — total ₹21.36 lakh .
The theft allegedly took place roughly 20 days before the arrests; accused reportedly used late-night reconnaissance before striking.
Two of the arrested — Vishal Visavadiya and Raghu Algotar — have prior criminal records at Ghogha and Vartej police stations.
Five alleged accomplices including Karan Dhaturatar and Sanjay Mer remain at large; a manhunt is under way.
Case registered at Vartej police station under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 .
The Bhavnagar Police's Local Crime Branch (LCB) has arrested six men in connection with the alleged theft of 733 kg of copper wire from Khushbu Metal, a factory near the Kobdi toll plaza on the Talaja Highway, recovering property worth ₹21.36 lakh — including a car allegedly used in the crime. The arrests were made on 4 November 2026, approximately 20 days after the theft occurred. Five other accused remain at large.
How the LCB Cracked the Case
The breakthrough came via a tip-off received by the LCB team while it was investigating unsolved property offences across Bhavnagar city and rural areas. Acting on the information, officers located six men standing near a mobile tower amid bushes close to a newly constructed university campus on Sidsar-Budhel Road, near Hill Park Crossroads.
A Hyundai Creta was parked nearby, with sacks of copper wire stowed inside. When officers questioned the men, they were unable to produce purchase bills or any satisfactory documentation. Police seized the material as 'suspected stolen property' and placed all six under arrest.
What Was Recovered
During the operation, the LCB seized 733 kg of copper wire valued at ₹10.26 lakh, the Hyundai Creta worth ₹10 lakh — which is alleged to have been used to transport the stolen goods — and six mobile phones valued at ₹1.10 lakh. The total value of recovered property stands at ₹21,36,200, according to police.
The Accused and Their Alleged Modus Operandi
The six arrested men have been identified as Vishal alias Kamlesh alias Kamo Chandubhai Visavadiya (20), Raghu Merabhai Algotar (27), Kishan Butabhai Mewada (19), Rohit alias Rahul Valabhai Babariya (25), Vivek Jaydeepbhai Algotar (22), and Darshit Naranbhai Mer (29). All are residents of Bhavnagar.
According to police, the group allegedly conducted late-night reconnaissance of factories to identify stored materials before returning to execute the theft. Two of the arrested — Vishal and Raghu — reportedly have prior cases registered against them at Ghogha and Vartej police stations under Section 305(A) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, among other provisions.
Five Suspects Still at Large
Police have identified five additional alleged accomplices who are yet to be apprehended: Karan Rameshbhai Dhaturatar, Sanjay Vashrambhai Mer, Kuldeep Algotar, Dharmik Gediya alias Begi, and Yuvraj alias Y.V. The case has been registered at Vartej police station under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Further investigation is under way, with a manhunt reportedly ongoing for the remaining accused.
Point of View
Using a vehicle to shift bulk material at night, and exploiting the gap between a theft and its discovery. The fact that two of the six have prior property-offence records, and that five others are still free, signals a wider network rather than an opportunistic act. Copper's high commodity value makes factory stockpiles a recurring target across Gujarat's industrial belt, and repeat offenders cycling through the same jurisdictions suggest the deterrence framework needs sharper teeth — including faster inter-station suspect tracking.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Bhavnagar copper wire theft case?
Six men were arrested by the Bhavnagar Police Local Crime Branch on 4 November 2026 for allegedly stealing 733 kg of copper wire from Khushbu Metal, a factory near the Kobdi toll plaza on the Talaja Highway. Property worth ₹21.36 lakh, including a Hyundai Creta used in the alleged crime, was recovered.
Who are the arrested accused in the Bhavnagar copper wire theft?
The six arrested men are Vishal alias Kamlesh alias Kamo Chandubhai Visavadiya (20), Raghu Merabhai Algotar (27), Kishan Butabhai Mewada (19), Rohit alias Rahul Valabhai Babariya (25), Vivek Jaydeepbhai Algotar (22), and Darshit Naranbhai Mer (29) — all residents of Bhavnagar.
How did Bhavnagar police catch the accused?
Police acted on a tip-off received while investigating unsolved property offences. Officers found the six men near a mobile tower on Sidsar-Budhel Road with a Hyundai Creta and sacks of copper wire; their inability to produce ownership documents led to their arrest.
Are there more suspects in the case?
Yes, five more alleged accomplices — Karan Rameshbhai Dhaturatar, Sanjay Vashrambhai Mer, Kuldeep Algotar, Dharmik Gediya alias Begi, and Yuvraj alias Y.V. — have been identified but are yet to be arrested. A manhunt is reportedly ongoing.
Under which law has the case been registered?
The case has been registered at Vartej police station under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Two of the arrested accused also face prior cases under Section 305(A) of the BNS at Ghogha and Vartej police stations.
