Four men allegedly sedated a truck driver and looted approximately six tonnes of copper scrap, valued at lakhs of rupees, in northeast Delhi’s Sonia Vihar area, police reported on Saturday. The audacious crime, which unfolded near the iconic Signature Bridge, has sent shockwaves through the capital, highlighting the growing audacity of criminal gangs targeting valuable cargo.
The incident occurred around 9 am on September 9, when 27-year-old Manish Kumar, a truck driver from Burari, was transporting the copper scrap consignment from a godown in Libaspur to Mandoli. As Kumar approached the Signature Bridge, a car suddenly intercepted his truck, cutting off his path. Two men swiftly climbed onto the vehicle, overpowering the unsuspecting driver. One of the assailants allegedly injected a sedative into Kumar’s arm, rendering him unconscious within moments, according to police accounts.
With Kumar incapacitated, the culprits took control of the truck, driving it to an unknown location where they offloaded the entire consignment of copper scrap, a high-value commodity in demand for industrial and recycling purposes. After looting the cargo, the perpetrators abandoned the truck, leaving the unconscious driver inside. Kumar was later discovered in critical condition by passersby and rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. He is now recovering, but the ordeal has left him shaken.
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The Delhi Police have registered a case under relevant sections for robbery, assault, and theft, and a dedicated team has been formed to investigate the crime. “This was a meticulously planned operation,” said a senior police officer. “We are analyzing CCTV footage from the Signature Bridge area and nearby routes to identify the suspects and their vehicle. The investigation is moving swiftly to bring the culprits to justice.”
Preliminary findings suggest the robbers had specific knowledge of the consignment’s value and route, raising suspicions of insider involvement or prior surveillance. The copper scrap, estimated to be worth several lakhs, is part of a growing trend of thefts targeting valuable industrial materials in the region. Police are exploring whether the incident is linked to organized crime syndicates known to operate in Delhi’s industrial corridors.
The daring nature of the crime has alarmed local residents and businesses, particularly those involved in logistics and transportation. “This is terrifying,” said Anil Sharma, a warehouse manager in Libaspur. “If drivers can be drugged and robbed in broad daylight, we need better security measures for our consignments.” The incident has sparked calls for enhanced patrolling and surveillance along key transport routes in the capital.
Investigators are also questioning potential witnesses and examining the abandoned truck for forensic evidence, such as fingerprints or DNA, that could lead to the perpetrators. The car used to intercept the truck is a key focus of the probe, with police working to trace its registration and movements.
As the investigation intensifies, authorities are urging transport companies to adopt stricter safety protocols, including real-time tracking of vehicles and enhanced driver security. The incident underscores the vulnerability of goods transportation in urban areas and the need for coordinated efforts to combat such bold criminal activities.
For now, the Delhi Police are determined to crack the case and recover the stolen copper scrap, vowing to leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of the culprits behind this shocking heist.
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