Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod
Kasargod, Jul 8: In a breakthrough, Kasargod police have arrested a man from the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha border in connection with the theft of cash and gold ornaments from the office of Surlu Vin Salafi Masjid located on the outskirts of Kasargod city.
The arrested has been identified as Muhammad Salman Ahmed (34), a resident of West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh. A welder by profession, he is alleged to have targeted mosques for theft.
The incident occurred on the morning of June 24, when Rs 3.10 lac in cash and two sovereigns of gold jewellery were stolen from the masjid office. The theft came to light on June 29. CCTV footage helped the police identify the accused, capturing visuals of him entering the mosque and fleeing with valuables.
Following a complaint lodged by masjid office secretary Muhammad Masood, a case was registered and investigation began.
Police revealed that the accused has previous cases registered against him in connection with mosque thefts at Panur in Kannur, Malappuram, Palakkad, Kozhikode Kasaba, Elathur and other police station limits in Kerala.
It is said the accused had been living a lavish lifestyle with friends using the stolen money. After the Kasargod theft, he fled to his native place, but police tracked him for over 1,200 km before finally apprehending him.
A special investigation team led by Kasargod DYSP P K Sunil Kumar successfully carried out the operation.