Udupi: Habitual thief attacks policeman, nabbed after chase

Inchara Udupi
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Jul 8: A thief who was in the habit of stealing cash boxes from temples, mosques and petty shops was chased and caught by Padubidri police here on Sunday July 6 night.

The arrested has been identified as Sanjeeva Mukhari (55) alias Santosh Poojary alias Harish, a resident of Innanje near Kaup.

On Sunday July 7 night, Padubidri police inspector Mahadeva Setty was patrolling the area along with his team, when he saw a suspcious looking man standing near a shop at Yermal Tenka. When the inspector began to question him, Sanjeeva tried to hit him with an iron rod and fled.

The police chased Sanjeeva and soon managed to nab him. On interrogation, he said that he had stolen cash boxes from temples, mosques and petty shops. The police learnt that he was involved in thefts at various places like Hejamady, Uchila, Shirva, Padubidri, Paniyur, Tenka Yermal and so on.

In fact, he was convicted in a theft case filed in Bunder police station in Mangalore and was in jail for three years. He was released on March 15 this year.

He is reportedly involved in theft cases across Dakshina Kannada district, in places like Bajpe, Kavoor, Dharmasthala, Vittal, Beltangady, Puttur, Sullia, and even Koppa.

Sanjeeva would use the stolen money to live a carefree life. Police sources also said that he is afflicted with HIV.