Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (SP)

Karkala, Apr 18: In an operation conducted here on Friday April 17, the police succeeded in arresting a person who is said to have been involved with a number of thefts from temples located across some districts.

The arrested man has been identified as Nagaraj. He was taken into custody from Pulkery Junction here and questioned by assistant sub-inspector of district crime intelligence bureau, Rosario D'Souza.

The man has reportedly confessed to having committed thefts from Goddess Durgaparameshwari temple in Moodbidri, Mahamayi temple in Kinnigoli, Ganapati temple in Miyar Karkala, and Naganakatte near Bidkalkatte.

The arrested accused is a native of Gantinakoppa in Sagar taluk, but now residents in Sanoor Suntikoppa in the taluk. He used to borrow a Maruti Omni van from a known person in Mangaluru on rent, and use the vehicle during his thefts. The police leanrt from him that he was planning to steal valuables from some more places of worship in the coming days.

A car and items of worship valued at Rs 2.5 lac were seized from his possession and handed over to the town station here for further investigation. The operation was conducted under the direction of district superintendent of police, K Annamalai and additional superintendent of police, Santosh Kumar and guidance of deputy superintendents of police, Chandrashekhar KM and Vinay S Nayak with the support of police circle inspector, G M Naikar.