The Lead Off
- Greenfield police recovered nearly $3 million worth of stolen cargo during a traffic stop on Interstate 70.
- A California man was arrested after officers say he fraudulently obtained a shipment of tungsten oxide powder.
- Authorities say the cargo originated from a theft reported in Pennsylvania earlier in the week.
GREENFIELD, IND. (WOWO) Greenfield police say they have recovered nearly $3 million in stolen cargo and arrested a California man following a traffic stop on Interstate 70 in Hancock County.
Officers say the semi-trailer was stopped near the Greenfield exit at mile marker 104 after being flagged as connected to a cargo theft investigation out of Pennsylvania according to Fox 59.
Traffic stop leads to major seizure
According to the Greenfield Police Department, officers were alerted around 6 a.m. Saturday that a semi-trailer traveling westbound on I-70 was wanted in connection with a June 25 theft of cargo in Pennsylvania.
Police conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as 31-year-old Deepak Kumar of Fresno, California.
Allegations of fraudulent shipment
Investigators say Kumar allegedly obtained a shipment of nearly 40,000 pounds of tungsten oxide powder using fraudulent documentation.
Police confirmed the load was valued at approximately $2,857,500 and was scheduled to be delivered to Mitsubishi Materials Corporation in Japan.
Authorities say an arrest warrant had already been issued in Pennsylvania for Kumar on charges including:
- Theft by unlawful taking of movable property
- Criminal use of communication facility
Cargo recovered during search
Following the traffic stop, investigators executed a search warrant on the semi-truck and trailer.
Police confirmed the stolen cargo was located inside the trailer and later recovered. The truck and trailer were impounded as evidence in the investigation.
Officials say the recovered cargo is now in the possession of a representative for Mitsubishi Materials Corporation.
Custody and next steps
Kumar was arrested and taken to the Hancock County Jail. Officials say he will remain in custody while the Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office reviews whether additional charges will be filed in Indiana.
Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing as search warrant results are further evaluated.
The Takeaway
- Greenfield police recovered nearly $2.8 million in stolen tungsten oxide powder during a traffic stop on Interstate 70 after identifying a semi-trailer tied to a Pennsylvania theft case.
- The driver, identified as 31-year-old Deepak Kumar, was arrested after investigators allege fraudulent documents were used to obtain the shipment.
- The cargo was returned to a corporate representative while prosecutors review potential additional charges in Indiana and the Pennsylvania case proceeds.
Next steps
The Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office is expected to determine whether additional charges will be filed in Indiana as investigators continue reviewing evidence gathered from search warrants. Pennsylvania authorities are also expected to continue prosecution related to the original theft case.
