Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Sep 22: An auto rickshaw driver, Prem, helped the police to crack the case about theft of items from Brahmalingeshwara Daivasthana at Mugurody, Shaktinagar here.

Relating to the above theft, Umesh (42) from Shivamogga, currently residing in Marakada here, is in police custody now.

After stealing the valuables from the Daivasthana, Umesh had hired the auto rickshaw driven by Prem in the early hours of Sunday. He asked to be dropped at Kavoor but changed his mind on the way and got down at Bandale Cross near Pachanady. When going away, he was holding a bundle in gunny bag.

When Prem was returning, he met the policemen and came to know about the theft from Daivasthana. He immediately grew suspicious about the passenger who had alighted at Bandale Cross. He therefore took the police to that area. At the sight of the auto rickshaw, the thief tried to run away but the police caught hold of him, brought him to the police station and questioned him and learnt that he was the one who stole items from the Daivasthana.

The police are now trying to ascertain from him about other thefts particularly from Daivasthanas in which he was involved.