Speaking to the media, Home Minister G Parameshwara said the police have recovered stolen cash worth ₹4 crore and around four kg of gold jewellery.
Published Jan 21, 2025 | 1:48 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 21, 2025 | 6:43 PM
Arrest. (Representational image).
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said on Tuesday, 21 January, that three accused in the recent bank robbery in Mangaluru have been arrested.
Speaking to the media, Parameshwara said the police have recovered stolen cash worth ₹4 crore and around four kg of gold jewellery.
“We have made arrests in the robbery that took place in Dakshina Kannada. Six people were involved (in the robbery) and we have arrested three of them. We have also seized three to four kg gold and cash worth ₹4 crore,” the home minister said.
According to Parameshwara, the accused were arrested near Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu and they belong to Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
He noted that interrogation was underway and added that the police had uncovered more clues about the accused in the Bidar ATM robbery case as well. “The accused are in Uttar Pradesh,” he said about the Bidar ATM robbery.
Members of the gang, including the alleged kingpin Murugandi Thevar (36), allegedly drove from Mumbai to Mangaluru to commit the robbery and escaped to Tamil Nadu with an estimated 12 kg of gold and cash, the Mangaluru police said Monday.
The others who were arrested have been identified as Manivannan (36), and Joshua Rajendran alias Prakash (35).
On 17 January, armed robbers stormed the Kotekar Agricultural Cooperative Bank on KC Road in Kotekar of Mangaluru in the Dakshina Kannada district making off with gold ornaments and other valuables estimated at ₹10–12 crore.
The gang of five to six men, aged between 25 and 35, wielded pistols, swords, and knives during the broad daylight heist. The masked perpetrators reportedly threatened the bank staff present on the premises in Hindi, before escaping in a black Fiat car.
A day earlier, on 16 January, assailants killed one security guard and seriously injured another during an ATM cash transfer at the State Bank of India (SBI) main branch in Bidar. The attackers used chilli powder and opened fire before fleeing the scene with ₹93 lakh in cash.
The deceased was identified as Giri Venkatesh (40), from Chidri in Bidar, while his colleague Shivu is undergoing treatment.
The incident, which occurred near the district court and Deputy Commissioner’s office, created tension as hundreds gathered at the spot. Police quickly dispersed the crowd by setting up barricades.
CCTV footage captured the assailants, who were on a bike, intercepting the security vehicle and overpowering the personnel. The suspects were later traced to Hyderabad’s Afzalgunj bus station, where they attempted to flee to Raipur in Chhattisgarh.
As per the information provided by the accused, spot inspection was conducted today, 21 January, at around 4:20 PM near Alankaru Gudde, K.C. Road, within the jurisdiction of Ullal Police Station. The inspection was done in presence of accused and Inspector of Police, Ullal Station, Shri Balakrishna HN, along with members of the investigation team.
During the inspection, the accused Kannan Mani attempted to escape police custody. He attacked escorting personnel, Anjanappa and Nithin, using a broken beer bottle found at the spot. The accused also pushed the investigation officer, Ullal Police Inspector, and attempted to stab him.
Despite being warned by the accompanying CCB unit Police Inspector, who fired a warning shot in the air, the accused continued his assault and attempted to escape.
In response , the CCB Police Inspector fired at the accused’s leg, subduing him and taking him into custody. Injuries were sustained by Ullal PS Inspector Shri Balakrishna, CCB unit PC Shri Anjanappa, and Ullal PS PC Shri Nithin during the incident.
The injured personnel and the accused were immediately shifted to Deralakatte Yenepoya Hospital for treatment.
A case is being registered regarding this in Ullala police station and further investigation is ongoing.
(With inputs from Nolan Pinto.)
