Man arrested attempting to steal from transformer substation in Maafannu

A man was arrested on early Thursday attempting to steal from a State Electric Company (STELCO) transformer substation located in the Maafannu district of Male’ City.

In a post on X, STELCO said the man was caught on CCTV attempting to break into the transformer station located near the Maafannu Madrasa at around 02:50 am on Thursday.

STELCO said that they immediately reported it to the police, who arrested the man.

The state utility company said that while its substations in Male’ City are monitored 24/7 via CCTV, it needs help from the public to prevent theft from substations located in Hulhumale’ Phase II.

ރޭ ދަންވަރު 2:50 ގައި މާފަންނު މަދުރަސާ ސަރަހައްދުގައި ހުރި މި ކުންފުނީގެ ޓްރާންސްފޯމަރ ސަބްސްޓޭޝަނަށްވަދެ، ވައްކަމުގެ ޢަމަލެއް ހިންގަން އުޅުނު މީހަކު ސީސީޓީވީ ކެމެރާއިން ފެނި، ފުލުހުންނަށް އެންގުމާ ގުޅިގެން އެ ފަރާތް ވަނީ ހައްޔަރުކުރެވިފައި. މި ކުންފުނީގެ މާލޭގެ…

— STELCO (@STELCOMALDIVES) January 30, 2025

STELCO has repeatedly urged against theft from its substations, warning that thieves risk their lives as they could get electrocuted committing such acts.

The company also noted that theft from transformer substations could disrupt essential utility services.

It urged relevant authorities to arrest people who sell and buy stolen equipment, and take necessary legal action.

Despite the high risk of electrocution, the Maldivian capital has seen a rise in thefts from transformer substations in recent months.

On January 15, STELCO employees sustained injuries while attempting to stop a man from stealing from a transformer in Hulhumale’ Phase II. The employees were conferred medals of bravery by STELCO in recognition of their valiance.