Karkala: A 29-year-old man has been arrested in Karkala for allegedly snatching a woman’s gold chain after posing as a supervisor. The accused, identified as Sunil Ramesh Lamani, a resident of Savadatti, was taken into custody by police, who also recovered the stolen jewellery.
Incident at Ellare village
The incident occurred on Tuesday, September 9, at around 4:30 pm at the residence of Kumuda Shetty in Ellare village, Karkala taluk. Lamani introduced himself as a supervisor from Karkala and enquired whether the house had CCTV cameras and if she owned another property nearby.
According to the complaint, he lingered at the premises until evening before suddenly grabbing Kumuda by the neck and snatching a 25-gram gold rope chain from her. He then fled the scene, leaving the victim injured.
Victim sustains injuries
In her attempt to resist, Kumuda fell and sustained multiple injuries to her forehead, head, right hand, and leg. Neighbours rushed to her aid, and with the assistance of Satish Poojary, she was taken to a hospital in Karkala for treatment.
Doctors confirmed that the injuries, while painful, were not life-threatening. Kumuda later lodged a formal complaint at Ajekaru Police Station, detailing the sequence of events.
Police investigation and arrest
Following the complaint, a case was registered and an investigation was launched under the supervision of CPI Karkala D Manjappa. A special team led by PSI Mahesh and his staff gathered evidence, traced the accused’s movements, and tracked him down within days.
The police successfully recovered the stolen gold chain during the arrest. Lamani was subsequently produced before court and remanded to judicial custody.
Pattern of deception
Police sources indicated that the accused had adopted a deceptive approach by posing as a supervisor to gain the victim’s trust. Officers cautioned residents, particularly senior citizens and women at home alone, to remain vigilant when approached by strangers claiming official authority.
Officials further warned that such impersonation tactics are becoming increasingly common in rural and semi-urban areas, where perpetrators exploit trust and lack of verification systems.
Community reaction
The incident has caused concern in Ellare village, where residents expressed shock over the audacity of the accused. Several locals urged authorities to increase patrolling during evening hours and conduct awareness campaigns on personal safety.
Social workers in Karkala taluk highlighted the need for installing CCTV cameras in residential areas, noting that surveillance often acts as a deterrent in such cases.
Police appeal
In a statement, the Karkala police appealed to the public to exercise caution and report suspicious individuals immediately. They emphasised that no genuine government or private official will make intrusive enquiries about personal properties or surveillance equipment without proper identification.
The swift arrest in this case, police added, underscores their commitment to ensuring the safety of residents and sending a strong message to potential offenders.