LUCKNOW, Oct. 30 -- The arrest of a fugitive accused of repeatedly stealing electricity cables across western Uttar Pradesh is expected to bring relief to power department officials grappling with theft cases in the region. The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) arrested Manoj, a resident of Shamli district, from Baghpat on Wednesday evening. Manoj, who carried a reward of Rs.50,000, was arrested on the Baraut-Budhana road in the Doghat police station area. He was wanted in a case registered under the Gangsters Act at Doghat police station, the STF said in a press release issued on Thursday. The STF has listed 35 criminal cases against him, including numerous cases registered by anti-power-theft police units under the Electricity Act in Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat and Meerut. The list also includes cases related to theft, receiving stolen property and offences under the Arms Act. According to the STF, Manoj's alleged involvement in cable theft began after he met Arvind alias Guddu, a resident of Biral in Muzaffarnagar district, while in jail. After their release, the two allegedly began committing thefts together. Manoj had earlier been jailed in connection with the 2021 death of Bablu, a resident of Titoli, following an assault allegedly involving him and two associates, Kallu and Neetu. In 2023, Manoj and Arvind were arrested by Babri police and sent to jail along with two other alleged associates, Akash and Rahul. They were released about a month later and allegedly returned to theft, the STF said. Doghat police arrested the group again in 2024. After spending around a year in jail, Manoj allegedly resumed stealing electricity cables with Arvind. The stolen cables were allegedly sold to a scrap dealer named Arbaaz in Meerut, according to the STF. Manoj was subsequently booked in the Gangsters Act case and allegedly kept changing locations to evade arrest, prompting authorities to announce a reward of Rs.50,000....