Mohali: In a swift operation lasting just two hours, thieves dismantled a heavy 500 kVA electricity transformer at GMI Business Park in Sector 102A, Alpha, and decamped with copper fittings weighing approximately 300 kg.The theft is suspected to have taken place between 2am and 4am, with the thieves dismantling and breaking open the transformer right at the site. The short span of the operation and the suspected quantity of stolen copper have raised questions about how the culprits managed to pull off the task so quickly.According to transformer manufacturers, dismantling a 500 kVA transformer normally takes at least 8 to 10 hours, whereas the thieves allegedly accomplished it in two hours.The incident came to light at the business park, following which security officer Harbans Singh lodged a complaint with the Mohali police. In his complaint, Singh stated that the business park was spread over nearly 50 acres, where a commercial project was to come up, and a transformer had been installed on the premises.Sub-inspector Sandeep Singh inspected the spot. “The thieves broke open the transformer and stole its copper fittings. We have received the complaint and are in the process of registering an FIR. CCTV footage from various points is also being collected to identify and trace the suspects,” he said.Police are also examining whether the power supply was disconnected before the transformer was dismantled and broken open. Investigators suspect the thieves may have used a vehicle to transport the stolen copper, estimated to weigh around 300 kg. CCTV footage from the surrounding area is being examined to establish the sequence of events and identify those involved.
