Two repeat offenders arrested for major metal theft in central Georgia

Police have detained two previously convicted men accused of stealing nearly 600 kilograms of copper-containing cables and industrial equipment from two foreign-owned factories in Shida Kartli.

The Interior Ministry on Friday said officers from the Gori-Shida Kartli Police Department arrested two men - K.K. (born 1985) and T.D. (born 1980) - on charges of large-scale theft. Both suspects have prior criminal records.

Investigators alleged the pair broke into two factories operated by foreign companies and illegally removed around 600 kilograms of copper-containing wiring along with a valuable metal aggregate. According to police, the stolen material was later sold in bulk to a scrap-receiving point for personal profit.

Law enforcement seized about 14,000 GEL in proceeds, as well as the dismantled copper wires and the stolen industrial component, which were recovered as evidence. The ministry said the theft caused up to 50,000 GEL in damage to the affected companies.

The case is being investigated under Article 177, Part 2 (a, b) of the Criminal Code, which concerns theft involving unlawful entry into storage facilities and causing significant damage - an offense punishable by up to five years in prison.