Bengaluru, Karnataka: In a major breakthrough, Doddabelavangala Police have successfully cracked a series of temple theft cases and arrested three members of a notorious gang that had been targeting temples during village fairs and festivals across the region.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mahesh, Raghu G., and Anjan Kumar, while another accused, Gangareddy, remains absconding and is being actively searched for by the police.
The investigation began following a theft at the Lakshmi Temple in Hadripura Palya, Doddaballapur, where valuable temple property was stolen during a village fair. Police launched a detailed probe and analyzed CCTV footage from the area, which provided crucial leads about the suspects.
Investigators found that the accused typically targeted villages hosting fairs and religious festivals, taking advantage of the late-night hours when residents and devotees were asleep. The gang allegedly used iron rods and other tools to force open temple doors before stealing valuables.
During interrogation, it was revealed that the accused were involved in thefts at more than ten temples under the jurisdiction of various police stations. The gang, originally from the Chikkaballapur region, had reportedly carried out a series of similar crimes over an extended period.
Under the leadership of Inspector Kallappa, Doddabelavangala Police conducted a focused operation that led to the arrest of the accused and the recovery of stolen property, including temple valuables. Their swift action has helped restore confidence among devotees and temple authorities.
The successful detection of multiple temple theft cases has been widely appreciated by members of the public, who commended the dedication and professional efforts of the Doddabelavangala Police team.
The investigation is continuing to trace the absconding accused and determine whether the gang was involved in additional offences elsewhere.
Our Citizen Reporter – Karnataka
R. Raj Kumar
