Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Nov 7: The Kankanady town police have arrested Rohith Mathias, who had been absconding for nearly two years, in connection with the theft of gold ornaments and cash from a woman in Kulshekar. Gold worth Rs 7 lac has been recovered from the accused, who was apprehended after a detailed investigation.

The case dates back to December 2021, when Mathias, who had been living with a woman in Kulshekar, fled with gold and cash from her residence. A case was registered at the Kankanady town police station, and the accused had been on the run since then. Acting on a tip-off, police tracked Mathias to Mumbai and arrested him when he returned to Mangaluru.

Mathias, a resident of Matkekere House, Belman, Karkala in Udupi district, has a criminal history. He was previously arrested in 2019 in connection with the murder of his neighbor, Bharatalakshmi, a retired PDO, in Belman village. Mathias, along with accomplices, had killed Bharatalakshmi for her valuables and disposed of her body in a well in Kalya. He had served time in jail for this crime but went into hiding before the trial could conclude.

The accused is also known for using social media to befriend women, gain their trust, and then steal their cash and jewelry. His latest arrest has brought to light similar activities.

The operation to arrest Mathias was carried out under the direction of Mangaluru police commissioner Anupam Agarwal IPS, with the guidance of DCps Siddharth Goyal and Dinesh Kumar KSPS, and ACP Dhanya Nayak. Kankanady town police inspector Nagaraj T D led the team, which included PSIs Vinayak Bhavikatti, Shivakumar, Yogeeshwaran, and other personnel Raghavendra, Gangadhar, Rajesab Mulla, Chetan, Muttanna, and Praveen.

Further investigations are underway.