Arrest of Criminals Attempting to Steal Oil by Digging a Pipeline Tunnel

A group of criminals attempting to steal oil by digging a tunnel near a pipeline in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, has been apprehended by the police.

On the 12th, the North Gyeongsang Provincial Police Agency reported that they had arrested six individuals on charges of violating the Pipeline Safety Management Act, three of whom have been detained.

These individuals are suspected of attempting to steal from pipelines by renting two commercial buildings in Gumi from March to July of last year and digging tunnels with pickaxes and shovels.

The crime was meticulously planned. They divided roles for financing, location scouting, fund management, and on-site work, and worked mainly during late-night hours out of concern for detection.

Additionally, to avoid suspicion, they displayed actual goods in the store and tinted the glass to obscure visibility, demonstrating a high level of cunning.

The police began an investigation after receiving tips, successfully apprehending all suspects through analysis of CCTV footage from nearby stores and phone records.

Furthermore, to prevent potential human casualties caused by the tunnel, they completed restoration work in cooperation with relevant agencies.

A police official stated, "Crimes related to pipelines can significantly affect society, not only through human and material damage from explosions and fires but also through environmental pollution, and we plan to respond decisively." He also urged the public to feel safe and report actively, as a whistleblower protection system and reporting rewards are in place.

Image source: North Gyeongsang police apprehending a criminal group involved in pipeline theft and checking the theft scene in Gumi. / Photo provided by North Gyeongsang Provincial Police Agency, illustrative photographs for understanding the article / gettyimagesbank