Bantwal: Gang of thieves that targetted temples nabbed, idols recovered
Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal
Bantwal, Jul 14: Bantwal police have arrested five persons involved in thefts of idols and silver jewellery from various temples in the district.
The arrested are Thimayya, Somanath, Jayaraj, Gangaraj from Hassan, Babu from Uppinanagady and Nethra from Shimoga.
Under the guidance of district superintendent of police Abhishek Goyal, Bantwal rural inspector Mahesh Prasad and other officials arrested the thieves from Manihalla in Bantwal.
The arrested were produced in the court on Saturday July 13. Thimayya, Somanath, Jayaraj and Gangaraj were sent to police custody while Nethra was sent to remand home.
During initial investigation, police are understood to have recovered four idols stolen from Bangadi Basadi, Beltangady from Uppinangady. Police sources also confirmed that the theft at BC Road Chandikaparameshwari and Brahmarakutlu Rajabhava Mandir were also committed by the same gang.
Police sources suspected that the thefts in various temples in the district were carried out by the same team. SP Abhishek Goyal formed three teams and appointed DySP Sadanand Varnekar, circle inspector Anil S Kulkarni as its heads.
The teams conducted search operations at various places and on Friday July 12, the thieves were arrested by Bantwal rural inspector Mahesh Prasad and his officials when the thieves were travelling in their vehicle.
It is learnt that the thieves had some tools in their vehicle and they were about to loot some places.
Further investigations are on.