A late-night copper wire theft in South Mumbai escalated into a violent confrontation after three men allegedly threatened a watchman with knives when he attempted to stop them, police said on Thursday. The accused were arrested from the Wadi Bunder-Dongri belt, while police suspect the involvement of others and have launched a search for the rest of the gang.

The incident took place on Tuesday near Manohar bar at Wadi Bunder, where the replacement of old telephone and power cables is underway along the northern carriageway of P D’Mello Road. The complainant, Manikandan Pitchemani Nadar, 36, a supervisor associated with the cable replacement work and a resident of Goregaon East, told police that the accused arrived at the site late at night carrying cutters.