The container, costing nearly Rs 20 lakh, was proceeding towards Gujarat when it was intercepted by the gang in the wee hours of Friday on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway near Parole village in the district, Virar police station assistant police inspector N B Dhone said.
The miscreants beat up the driver who was alone inside the vehicle, abandoned him on the highway and decamped with the container.
The driver later reported the matter to the owner of the vehicle and a case was lodged in connection with the loot yesterday, the officer said.
A manhunt has been launched to nab the five unidentified persons, police added.