Mangaluru: In a significant breakthrough in the ongoing crackdown on property crimes, the Mangaluru East Police have arrested an interstate habitual offender involved in multiple cases of vehicle theft, chain snatching, and housebreaking across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The arrest brings relief to several victims and marks a major development in the police effort to curb two-wheeler thefts in the region.
Arrest near Kadri Jogi Mutt
The accused, identified as Adit Gopan alias Muthu Krishna, a 32-year-old native of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, was intercepted by the police during a routine vehicle inspection near Kadri Jogi Mutt on 4 December. Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH confirmed that the suspect was apprehended after his suspicious behaviour while riding a two-wheeler drew the attention of officers on duty.
Upon verification, the motorcycle he was riding was found to have been stolen from Surathkal. This discovery prompted officers to question him further, during which Adit reportedly confessed to several offences, including using stolen two-wheelers to commit chain-snatching crimes.
Recovery of stolen vehicles and ornaments
The police have recovered four stolen two-wheeler vehicles and gold ornaments worth ₹5 lakh from the accused. These recoveries form part of a larger pattern of offences attributed to him.
Adit is believed to have targeted elderly and lone women, often selecting vulnerable individuals in relatively quiet neighbourhoods. His method typically involved approaching victims on a motorcycle, snatching gold chains, and fleeing before help could arrive.
Linked to several cases across coastal Karnataka
According to the Commissioner, the accused has been linked to several high-profile cases, including:
- Snatching a 1.5-pawan gold chain from an 83-year-old woman in Kadri Battagudde on 21 November
- Threatening a woman with a knife and robbing a 2-pawan gold chain in Mulki on 27 September
- Vehicle thefts in Byndoor, Kundapur, and Surathkal
The Commissioner also added that Adit is a habitual offender, previously involved in at least four house theft cases in Tamil Nadu. He had served time in prison at Nagercoil before resuming criminal activities after release.
Modus operandi: Crimes across states
Investigations reveal that the accused travelled extensively by train after his release from jail, targeting motorcycles parked near railway stations in various towns. After stealing a vehicle, he would use it to commit chain snatching and other property crimes, increasing the difficulty for law enforcement agencies to trace him across jurisdictions.
This pattern of mobility and his ability to operate across states has reportedly allowed him to evade police attention for a considerable time. His arrest is expected to help solve several pending cases, as officers continue to interrogate him for more details and possible accomplices.
Police operations and crackdown on thefts
The arrest resulted from the coordinated efforts of Mangaluru East Police Inspector Ananth Padmanabha and personnel from Kadri Police Station. Their alertness during routine surveillance played a crucial role in apprehending the suspect.
The Commissioner noted that 72 cases of two-wheeler thefts have been reported under the Mangaluru Commissionerate limits recently. Of these, the police have successfully traced 57 vehicles, achieving an impressive 79 per cent recovery rate.
He emphasised the department’s commitment to further improving vigilance, increasing beat patrolling, and enhancing surveillance systems in theft-prone areas.
Court remand and ongoing investigation
Adit was produced before the court on Friday. The court subsequently remanded him to police custody for three days, enabling investigators to pursue further leads and recover additional stolen property, if any.
The police believe that with continued interrogation, more cases—possibly in neighbouring districts and states—may come to light.
Conclusion
The arrest of the interstate thief marks a crucial step in the police’s efforts to clamp down on organised property crimes in Mangaluru and beyond. With stolen vehicles and valuables recovered and several cases likely to be solved, the operation underscores the importance of vigilant policing and timely intervention. Authorities have encouraged citizens to remain alert, ensure proper locking of vehicles, and promptly report suspicious activities to aid ongoing crime-prevention measures.