A routine traffic stop in Indiana has led to the recovery of nearly $2.9 million worth of stolen cargo, with police arresting a truck driver accused of using fake paperwork to collect the shipment days earlier in Pennsylvania.
The investigation unfolded early Saturday morning after the Greenfield Police Department received an alert about a semi-truck believed to be involved in a recent cargo theft. Officers located the vehicle travelling eastbound on Interstate 70 near Greenfield and pulled it over shortly afterwards.
Behind the wheel was 31-year-old Deepak Kumar, from Fresno, California, who was already wanted by authorities in Pennsylvania in connection with the case.
Police believe Kumar obtained the cargo by presenting fraudulent transport documents, allowing him to collect a shipment of almost 40,000 pounds of tungsten oxide powder without raising suspicion. The material, valued at around $2.86 million, was reportedly on its way to Mitsubishi Materials Corporation in Japan.
After the arrest, officers seized the truck and trailer while applying for a search warrant. Once authorised, investigators searched the trailer and confirmed the missing cargo was still inside.
Kumar is currently facing theft-related charges in Pennsylvania, including theft by unlawful taking and criminal use of a communication facility. Meanwhile, prosecutors in Indiana are reviewing the evidence to determine whether additional charges should also be filed there.
Authorities have so far released very few details about how the alleged fraud was carried out. They have not identified the Pennsylvania company from which the cargo was stolen, nor have they explained exactly what documents were allegedly used to obtain the shipment.
Investigators also have not announced whether anyone else may have been involved in the operation. For now, police say the investigation remains active, with more information expected as the case moves forward.
