Udupi, Mar 19 (DHNS): Udupi police have nabbed three notorious criminals who were involved in a murder case and have committed several thefts between December 2009 and March 2010 in Udupi and Shimoga districts. 

Speaking to the media persons here on Thursday, DySP Jayanth Shetty informed that these criminals have committed house burglary at seven different places in Shirva, Padubidri, Nandikur, Manipal and Thrithahalli police station limits. They made their way with gold ornaments worth Rs 6 lakh, one laptop and 800 Bahrain Dinars. The stolen property has been recovered, he added.

Main accused Sheik Riyaz (23) was caught at Guntoor of Andhra Pradesh. During the course of interrogation, he disclosed the name of his other associates Muttappa (25), Iqbal Ahmed Ansari (20) and Sudarshan. Ansari and Muttappa were arrested later. Sudarshan is absconding. He has more than 15 cases to his credit, the DySP added.

Muttappa has more than 20 cases registered against him in Karnataka and Kerala. He, along with Sheik Riyaz, was involved in the murder of Shivaram Acharya at Mudrangadi on February 8, Shetty informed.

The police team included Manipal PI H D Kulkarni, PSI T S Madhu, ASI Sheena Billava and Santhosh Kunder besides DySP Jayanth Shetty. SP Prawin Pawar has announced a cash prize of Rs 25,000 to the team.