Daijiworld Media Network - Kaup (JD/SP) 

Kaup, Jul 31: In operations conducted at Shivamogga and Tamil Nadu by Kaup police circle inspector, Mahesh Prasad and his team, the police from here have succeeded in arresting four members of an inter-state gang of vehicle thieves. 11 vehicles were also seized from their possession. 

The 11 vehicles now found by the police include a Bolero tempo parked in front of Balaji Traders Kundapur, Mahindra Pick-up vehicles belonging to Mohammed Raqib parked at Katapadi Kallapu and other vehicles which were stolen from Kaup, Shivamogga,Tumakuru etc. 

The arrested accused are Syed Mehaboob Pasha (57) from Tipu Nagar, Shivamogga, his son, Syed Mazar Pasha (23), K Eliyas alias Babu (58) from N R Pura in Chikkamagaluu district, and Zia Ul Haq (37) from Mettupalayam, Tamil lNadu. The total value of vehicles seized has been estimated at Rs 24 lac, said Karkala deputy superintendent of police, K Krishnakanth, speaking at a press conference held on Tuesday July 30 at Kaup police station. He revealed that ten of the vehicles were sold to a scrap shop owned by Zia Ul Haq at Mettupalayam. 

In addition to police circle inspector, Mahesh Prasad, sub-inspector, Jaya K, probationary sub-inspectors, Sadashiva and Udayaravi K and other police personnel who participated in the operations were present. 

The gang of thieves has been engaged in theft of goods tempos, cars etc parked by the roadside since 2016. The racket came to light when an Indica car that came from the direction of Udupi was stopped and checked on July 19 at Katapadi check post. This check post is one among several such check posts set up under the directions of the district superintendent of police, Nisha James, and additional superintendent of police, Kumarachandra. This car had four persons and during verification it was found that the car bore two registration numbers. Those inside the car revealed that they usually come prepared for thefts including replacement of number plate. The police who investigated further took into possession several vehicles. All the arrested have old cases against them and have gone through jail terms in the past. 

The police department has announced cash prize and appreciation letters to the members of the police team which cracked this gang of vehicle thieves.