Pricier than gold: Thief strikes LPG in Ludhiana.

Ludhiana: In an opportunistic strike that mirrors the global scramble for energy, a thief managed to siphon off cash, a mobile, and a full LPG cylinder in a matter of minutes.

With the Strait of Hormuz situation creating a "pressure cooker" environment for gas prices, local businesses are being warned that their fuel assets are now prime targets for snatchers. The desperation for fuel has now hit the streets of Ludhiana when a brazen thief targeted a dhaba in the Daresi area on Wednesday evening, escaping with the cylinder, a mobile phone, and ₹12,000 in cash while staff were distracted.




The incident occurred at about 8.30pm as workers at the eatery, located near the old vegetable market, moved to the rear of the premises to clean utensils before the dinner rush. The owner, Saurabh Kumar, had briefly stepped out for errands, leaving the front shutter partially lowered. CCTV footage captured the suspect entering the unmanned front counter, ransacking the cash drawer, and — most notably — lugging away the heavy LPG cylinder.

"I had pulled down half the shutter and went out while the workers were busy in the back," Saurabh said. "When I returned minutes later, the cash and phone were gone. It was only when I questioned the staff that we realised a cylinder was also missing."

Fueling a crime wave?

While petty theft is not uncommon, the theft of an LPG cylinder comes at a time of acute sensitivity regarding gas supplies. With the ongoing situation in the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint for global liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shipments — local prices and availability have faced increasing pressure, turning domestic fuel tanks into high-value targets for opportunistic thieves.

The Division Number 4 police station has registered a formal complaint and is currently reviewing the digital evidence. "The complainant has provided CCTV footage in which the suspect's face is clearly captured," said Sub-Inspector Gurjit Singh, SHO. "We are currently working to trace the man's identity and location." No arrests have been made as of late Wednesday night, but police have warned local business owners to secure their fuel assets as global supply tensions continue to ripple through the local economy. Get real-time updates and result insights on the CBSE 12 Result 2026.