A five-member gang involved in a series of house break-ins across Karnataka has been arrested by the Dakshina Kannada police. The gang is suspected to have committed over 30 thefts in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Shivamogga districts, targeting unoccupied houses during daytime.
Police recovered stolen gold ornaments worth approximately ₹32 lakh, along with other valuables, from the possession of the arrested individuals. The recovered items include 800 grams of gold, silver articles, and electronic gadgets.
The arrested suspects have been identified as residents of Uttar Pradesh, specifically from the districts of Bareilly and Shahjahanpur. They operated by identifying houses where the occupants were away, often targeting those attending functions or at work. They would then forcibly enter the premises and steal valuables.
The investigation began following a series of complaints regarding house thefts in the Mangaluru Commissionerate limits. Police utilized CCTV footage and intelligence gathering to identify the suspects and track their movements. A team was dispatched to Uttar Pradesh, leading to their arrest.
The gang members confessed to their involvement in the crimes during interrogation. They revealed a pattern of reconnaissance before targeting homes, observing the daily routines of residents to determine optimal times for the break-ins. They primarily focused on stealing gold as it was easily portable and had high resale value.
Police are currently working on identifying all the houses that were targeted by the gang and are in the process of returning the stolen property to their rightful owners. Further investigation is underway to determine if the gang was involved in any other similar crimes in neighboring states. The successful operation highlights the inter-state coordination of the police in cracking down on organized crime.
