Taloja jail plot unfolds into daring Mangaluru bank heist

A meticulously planned dacoity at the Kotekar Vyavasaya Seva Sahakari Sangha in Talapady on January 17 revealed a criminal conspiracy orchestrated from Taloja Central Jail, Navi Mumbai. Masked robbers looted 18.67 kg of gold and ₹11.67 lakh in cash. Police investigations uncovered a six-month planning phase, involving local accomplice Shashi Thevar, who remains at large.

The gang chose January 17, a Friday, assuming minimal resistance as locals were busy with prayers. Arriving from Mumbai via vehicles and trains, they executed the heist with precision, exploiting non-functional CCTV cameras and an open master locker. The robbers changed vehicle number plates twice to evade detection and stormed the bank, threatening staff and customers before escaping.

City Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal detailed the arrests: Kannan Mani (36), Murugandi Thevar (36), Yosuva Rajendran (35), and M. Shanmugasundaram (65). Post-heist, the gang split up, using varied escape routes via cars, trains, and buses. Police tracked their movements using digital tools and local intelligence, recovering significant portions of the loot, including 16.285 kg gold and ₹3.8 lakh cash.

Murugandi and Yosuva, implicated in prior high-profile robberies, now face charges under IPC, Arms Act, and MCOCA. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Shashi Thevar and investigate potential local collaborators.

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