Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP/SP)
Udupi, Apr 2: The police on Monday March 31, arrested two thieves, who used to visit houses in the guise of collecting old clothes supposedly for the use of inmates of an Ashram, and confiscated gold ornaments worth Rs 13 lac from them. The thieves used to roam around in various localities, posing themselves as volunteers of a non-profit organization, and would identify houses which were easy targets for theft. They later stole valuables from there.
The arrested persons are Mahesh (19), a native of Agre Angadihalli near Belur in Hassan district and Manikanta (19) from Nagarabavi, Bangalore. It is said that Mahesh had recently shifted his residence to Kozhikode district in Kerala.
The police grew suspicious about their activities while investigating a theft which occurred at Barkur in the district on March 13. After closely monitoring their activities by using modern techniques, they arrested the culprits on March 31. It is learnt that Mahesh had earlier been caught relating to a theft in Manipal, but had been released on bail.
The two youngsters visited various houses with letterheads printed in the name of Shreyas Home for the Aged and Orphanage, Magadi, Bangalore, and sought to collect used clothes by visiting houses. During these visits, they made a note of locked houses and later executed their plan to steal things. They used to stay in houses of relatives and some tents located at Balaipade in Udupi, and Suratkal since a year.
The police, during interrogation, got to know about various thefts with which the duo was involved with, in Udupi and Kundapur taluks, Karnad in Mulky, Aikala in Kinnigoli, Beltangady, and Mangalore. 490 grams of ornaments worth around Rs 13.23 lac were recovered from their possession.
The operation was led by Brahmavar sub-inspector of police, Girish S, under the supervision of Brahmavar police circle inspector, Arun B Nayak, additional district superintendent of police, Santosh Kumar, police deputy superintendent, Dr Prabhudeva B Mane, and the direction of district superintendent of police, Dr Boralingaiah.