Mangaluru police announced the arrest of two men on suspicion of stealing diesel from vehicles that were parked along the busy Mangaluru‑Bengaluru highway. The operation, carried out in the early hours of the day, targeted a known hotspot where long‑distance trucks and private cars often halt for rest or refuelling. The suspects were taken into custody at the scene and handed over to the local police station for further questioning.
During the raid, investigators recovered roughly 20 litres of diesel that had been siphoned, along with several empty metal cans and a length of rubber pipe believed to have been used to draw the fuel. The pipe, a common tool in fuel‑theft operations, was found tucked beneath a parked vehicle, indicating that the perpetrators had likely tapped the fuel tanks while the owners were away. The seized diesel was logged as evidence and will be processed according to standard protocol.
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Fuel theft on major transport corridors such as the Mangaluru‑Bengaluru route has been a recurring problem, especially during periods of high diesel prices. The highway connects the port city of Mangaluru with the technology hub of Bengaluru, handling a high volume of commercial traffic. Criminals often exploit unattended vehicles, using simple equipment to siphon fuel quickly and escape before owners notice the loss. Such incidents not only raise the cost of logistics but also erode confidence among transport operators who rely on the route for timely deliveries.
Under the Indian Penal Code, theft of fuel is punishable with imprisonment and fines, and the police have indicated that the two arrested individuals will face charges of theft, criminal breach of trust and violation of motor vehicle regulations. A senior police official, who declined to be named, said the raid was part of a broader crackdown on organized fuel‑theft rings that have been operating across Karnataka’s highways. The official added that the recovered equipment will be examined for forensic links to other recent thefts in the region.
Local transport unions welcomed the police action, calling it a necessary step to protect drivers and freight operators from recurring losses. Community members, many of whom depend on the highway for daily commutes, expressed relief that the suspects were apprehended before further theft could occur. The police department has pledged to increase patrols and install surveillance cameras at vulnerable parking spots along the corridor.
