Home / Crime and Justice / California Driver Held for $2.9M Tungsten Theft
California Driver Held for $2.9M Tungsten Theft
1 Jul
Summary
- Nearly $2.9 million in tungsten powder was stolen cargo.
- A California truck driver was arrested in Indiana during a stop.
- The driver allegedly used fraudulent documents to obtain the shipment.
A California truck driver was arrested in Greenfield, Indiana, following the recovery of a significant cargo theft. Police intercepted a semi-trailer on June 28, identifying the driver as Deepak Kumar, from Fresno, California. The trailer was found to contain approximately 40,000 pounds of tungsten oxide powder, valued at $2,857,500, which had been reported stolen from Pennsylvania on June 25.
Kumar was arrested on an active warrant issued by Pennsylvania, charging him with theft and criminal use of a communication facility. Authorities believe Kumar used fraudulent documents to obtain the valuable tungsten oxide powder, which was en route to Mitsubishi Materials Corporation in Japan. A representative from the corporation confirmed the recovery of the shipment.
Investigators have impounded the truck and trailer as evidence while the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office determines if charges will be filed in Indiana. The Greenfield Police Department has not yet identified the Pennsylvania business from which the cargo was stolen or provided further details on the fraudulent documents used. The investigation remains active.
