Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Oct 15: Five people, who the police said were moving about stealthily to rob houses of affluent persons living around Vittal in the taluk, were arrested from near Ashram School in Kepu village. The team of district crime intelligence bureau (DCIB) police, which made these arrests, also seized a vehicle used by the robbers, apart from some lethal weapons, from their possession.

The arrested men have been identified as Asif Rahiman, Shariff and Aziz from Kushalnagar in Kodagu district, as well as Abdul Rahiman and Purandar Naik from Puttur.

It is said that Shariff has been facing cases of theft in Murnad police station limits in Kodagu district and also a case of robbing of foreign nationals in Goa. Asif and Abdul, who worked together in a foreign country, continued their friendship even after returning home for good, it is learnt.

It is said that the two residents of Puttur stated above, who had identified houses of certain rich persons in the region, had drawn up a sketch to rob these families. To execute their plans, they had sought help from three persons in Kodagu district. After the police got wind of this plan, a team under the leadership of Bantwal Assistant Superintendent of Police, Rahul Kumar and circle inspector, Belliappa, was formed under the guidance of District Superintendent of Police, Sharanappa.

The team got information that the team of robbers were travelling towards Kepu Ashram school from the direction of Toranakatte in a Maruti Omni vehicle. During the interrogation of the people travelling this van, the policemen came to know of their plans. They also found red chilli powder, three swords, a knife and five cell phones in the possession of the arrested persons. They were produced in the court, whereupon they were remanded to judicial custody.