India, Sept. 11 -- The Amboli police arrested eight men for allegedly trying to steal expensive Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) cables worth Rs.58 lakh by impersonating employees and contractors of the central government's telecom unit.

The accused, aged between 20 and 40, were caught red-handed in a joint operation by the police and MTNL officials while attempting to steal 1,110 metres of copper cable from Jogeshwari West in the early hours on Tuesday.

Acting on a tip-off during routine patrolling, police intercepted the suspects at around 3.30am near Farook School. They found the men removing live cables from a drainage duct.

Suspicious activity was noticed after officers saw two trucks loaded with cable wires, a crane, and ...