Daijiworld News Network - Kundapur (GA)

Kundapur, Mar 27: The Kundapur police led by circle inspector Valentine D'Souza achieved a major breakthrough by nabbing 6 notorious thieves who were responsible for thefts in Shri Pattabhi Ramchandra Temple, Koteshwar and Tirumala Venkatramana Temple of Basrur on Sunday March 26 at Moodlukatte Railway Station.

The arrested have been identified as Krishna, Ravi alias Golla alias Shyam, Girija, Dhrama alias Raja, Roopa and Manjula belonging to Koracha community of Santebennur.

The police arrested them on suspicion and when they checked their baggage, they found the bells stolen from Tirumala Venkatramana Temple, a week ago.  This led the police to subject them for intense enquiry which revealed their part in various theft cases in different places in the state and other places.  The same group was involved in theft of gold and silver ornaments worth Rs 3.50 lac from Shri Pattabhi Ramchandra Temple of Koteshwar sometime ago.

They had sold the ornaments to a jewellery shop near Shri Durga Temple of Shimogga which were recovered by police later in the day.

The members of the gang used to roam in towns and rural areas selling various things such as nylon ropes, repairing stove etc.  During this time they used to mark the houses which were either locked or in which they were only one or two persons living.  Then they used to break open into these houses and steal in the nights.

The entire group of thieves has been facing several cases against them in Maharashtra, Chikamagalur, Dharwad, Hubli, Davangere etc.

However, the police are yet to lay their hands on two more prime accused Bhoota and Chandra who are said to be the linchpins of the gang.  The duo had managed to escape when the police had arrested 6 others.