Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)
Kundapur, May 7: In a major breakthrough, the policemen on Wednesday May 6, arrested a person and recovered 10 kgs of gold ornaments from him, in connection with the robbery of Kambadakone Farmers Service Cooperative Bank on the night of April 22, in which the thieves had been able to rob the bank of about 14 kgs of gold ornaments pledged by farmers and Rs 1.8 lac in cash. The thieves had carried away the entire chest containing the ornaments and cash in the wee hours that day, and those residing in nearby buildings, who heard the noise, had remained indoors, fearing retaliation by robbers. The total value of valuables so stolen has been put at about Rs 1.75 crore, by the Bank management.
The accused has been identified as Sanjay (Chaya) Nayak, a native of Ankola in Uttara Kannada district. The policemen are not inclined to reveal further information, as it might hamper further investigations.
Different teams had been formed to investigate the robbery, which were then fanned off to places like Udupi district, Kasargod and Uttara Kannada district. The Bank as well as the district police department had announced rewards to any one who could provide any clue about the robbery, after failing to get any leads.
At around 10.30 pm on the night of Tuesday May 5, Kumta assistant sub-inspector of police C H Nayak saw a person holding a cloth-covered parcel. On enquiry, the man claimed it to be containing clothes. After noticing that the parcel was heavy, the ASI asked the man to open the same. The man tried to flee, by pushing the policemen away. After he was caught with the help of locals, it was found that 10 kgs of gold ornaments had been hidden beneath some clothes, in the parcel he was holding.
The policemen said, on interrogation, the man confessed to have committed the robbery with the help of six other persons. He also informed that the chest, in which the ornaments were stored, was thrown beneath the Tallur bridge near Kundapur after emptying it. It is yet to be ascertained as to whether any locals were involved with this robbery.
On gathering information about the said arrest, Byndoor circle inspector Kantaraj, Bank supervisor Shivaram and manager Pundalik Nayak went to Kumta and confirmed that the gold ornaments found therein indeed belonged to the Bank.