Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Jan 27: Police commissioner Anupam Agrawal announced the arrest of four individuals in connection with the Kotekar bank dacoity that occurred on January 17.
The arrested are Murugandi Thevar (36), a notorious criminal; Yosova Rajendran (35); Kannan Mani (36); and Shanmugasundaram, the father of Murugandi Thevar. The police are still on the lookout for four more suspects. During interrogation, the accused named a local individual, Shashi Thevar, whose involvement is under investigation.
The incident involved four masked men storming the bank, threatening the staff, and making off with over 18 kilograms of gold – the second-largest bank heist in the state. Despite initial challenges, including the absence of security guards and CCTV footage, the police made a breakthrough when they traced the Fiat car used in the crime.
A dedicated team worked tirelessly to solve the case. Investigation revealed that the Fiat car's number plate was fake. By analysing toll records and CCTV footage, it was discovered that the car had passed through the Hejmady toll and the number plate was changed from a Maharashtra registration to a Karnataka registration at a petrol pump in Surathkal.
Multiple teams were dispatched to Mumbai and Tamil Nadu as part of the operation. The accused initially escaped through the Talapady toll gate before splitting up, with some traveling to Tamil Nadu and others to Mumbai.
Given the importance of recovering the stolen gold, prompt action was critical. The police recovered 2 kg of gold from three of the accused, while 16 kg was found in Shanmugasundaram's residence. Additionally, Rs 3,80,000 out of Rs 11 lakh in stolen cash was also recovered.
The police traced the case within a record time, covering over 2,700 kilometres across Mumbai and Tamil Nadu without taking any rest.
The police commissioner also said, "In 2016, the accused met in Taloja Jail, where Shashi Tevar proposed a plan that had been in preparation for six months. The main accused made three trips to Mangaluru during this period to study the entry and exit points. The operation was strategically planned for a Friday to take advantage of locals being occupied with prayers, ensuring easier access and escape. Murugandi and three associates left Tilak Nagar, Mumbai, in a Fiat car, while Kannan Mani and others travelled by train. The car’s number plates were swapped twice—first near Shirur Gate with a fake Maharashtra registration, and later at Surathkal with a fake Karnataka registration. All the accused gathered in Surathkal to execute the plan. After the crime, Murugandi, Thevar, and Yosuva Rajendran fled to Kerala via Talapady in the Fiat car, while the other three took a train. During the investigation, police recovered 18.314 kg of gold, Rs 3,80,000 in cash, 2 pistols with 3 live rounds, 2 machetes, a Fiat car, and a fake number plate. From Murugandi, 2.029 kg of gold, Rs 3,80,000 in cash, 2 machetes, and 2 pistols with 3 live rounds were recovered. Additionally, 16.285 kg of gold was found at the residence of Shanmugamsundaram, Murugandi's father.
"To prevent such incidents in the future, a meeting with bank officials will be held next week to discuss enhanced security measures, including the deployment of guards for all shifts and the installation of CCTV cameras, informed the commissioner.
DCP Siddarth Goyal, Ravi Shankar, ACP Dhanya Nayak, and Manoj Naik were present during the press briefing.