Driver arrested in Hancock County after police find $3 million worth of chemical compound bound for Japan

GREENFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — A man driving a truck through Hancock County on Saturday morning has been arrested after police found almost $3 million worth of tungsten oxide powder that was being shipped to Japan.

According to a release from Greenfield police, officers were alerted at 6 a.m. that a wanted semi-truck involved in a theft of cargo in Pennsylvania on Thursday was traveling along I-70 westbound, entering Hancock County.

The driver, 31-year-old Deepak Kumar of Fresco, California, is suspected of using fraudulent documents to obtain a load of nearly 40,000 pounds of tungsten oxide powder that was being shipped to Mitsubishi Materials Corporation in Japan, according to police.

Police say the value of the cargo Kumar fraudulently received is approximately $2,857,500.00.

A photo of the cargo confiscated from Kumar’s truck. (Provided Photo/Greenfield Police Department)

An arrest warrant was issued by the state of Pennsylvania, accusing Kumar of theft by unlawful taking of movable property and criminal use of a communication facility. Kumar was arrested and taken to Hancock County Jail and police say he will be criminally charged with Indiana crimes.

A representative of Mitsubishi Materials Corporation arrived in Greenfield on Sunday and took possession of the stolen cargo. Police say the truck is currently being held as evidence.

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