Udupi: Udupi city police have arrested two inter-state motorcycle theft accused and recovered a stolen two-wheeler in connection with a theft case reported from Moodanidambur village in Udupi district. The arrests come as part of a focused operation by the city police to curb vehicle thefts and track offenders operating across state borders.

The arrested accused have been identified as Ashik Ansar (19) and Mohammed Altaf (23), both residents of Ernakulam district in Kerala. Police confirmed that the stolen motorcycle, a black Yamaha R15 valued at approximately ₹70,000, has been recovered from their possession.

Theft reported from Moodanidambur village

The case relates to a complaint lodged by Nagachandra (32), son of Balakrishna S Bunt and a resident of Moodanidambur village. According to the complaint, on December 28, Nagachandra had parked his motorcycle near the Landmark Building on the coastal bypass road at Moodanidambur at around 9 pm and returned home.

When he came back to the spot the next morning at around 7 am, he discovered that his motorcycle was missing. After making enquiries in the surrounding area and failing to trace the vehicle, Nagachandra approached the Udupi city police and filed a formal complaint.

Based on his statement, a case of motorcycle theft was registered at the Udupi city police station, and an investigation was launched to trace the culprits and recover the stolen vehicle.

Special team formed to detect the crime

Following the registration of the case, a special police team was constituted to detect the crime under the guidance of D T Prabhu, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Udupi sub-division. The investigation was carried out under the supervision of Mahesh Prasad P, in-charge police inspector of the Udupi city police station.

The special team was led by police sub-inspectors Bharatesh Kankanawadi and Gopalakrishna Jogi, with the assistance of staff members Prasanna C, Santosh Rathod, Mallayya Hiremath and Shivakumar. The team analysed CCTV footage from the surrounding areas, verified technical evidence and gathered intelligence inputs related to inter-state vehicle theft networks.

Police officials said that preliminary findings indicated the involvement of offenders from outside Karnataka, prompting coordination with police units in neighbouring states.

Accused traced and arrested in Kerala

Acting on specific leads, the police team traced the accused to Mukkam in Kozhikode district, Kerala. On January 4, the team conducted an operation in the area and successfully apprehended both Ashik Ansar and Mohammed Altaf.

During interrogation, the accused reportedly confessed to stealing the motorcycle from Moodanidambur. Based on their disclosure, the police recovered the stolen black Yamaha R15 from their possession.

The accused were brought to Udupi and produced before the court after completing the necessary legal formalities.

Criminal antecedents revealed

Further investigation revealed that both accused have a criminal background in Kerala. Police said Ashik Ansar has two criminal cases registered against him in Kerala, including one case of house burglary and another related to ganja consumption.

Similarly, Mohammed Altaf has five criminal cases registered against him in Kerala. These include three theft cases and two ganja consumption cases, indicating his repeated involvement in criminal activities.

Police officials stated that the accused appear to be part of a group that targets two-wheelers parked in isolated areas and transports them across state borders to avoid detection.

Police caution vehicle owners

Udupi city police have advised vehicle owners to take adequate precautions to prevent thefts. “People should avoid parking vehicles in poorly lit or isolated places, especially during night hours. Use of additional locking systems and vigilance can help reduce such incidents,” a senior police officer said.

The police also urged residents to promptly report suspicious activity and vehicle thefts, enabling quicker response and recovery.

Continued crackdown on inter-state theft gangs

Officials said the arrest of the two accused and recovery of the stolen motorcycle is part of a broader effort to crack down on inter-state theft gangs operating in coastal Karnataka. Police have intensified surveillance and intelligence gathering to identify repeat offenders and organised networks involved in vehicle thefts.

Further investigation is underway to ascertain whether the accused were involved in similar thefts in Udupi and neighbouring districts.

Conclusion

The arrest of two inter-state motorcycle theft accused and the recovery of a stolen Yamaha R15 mark a significant success for Udupi city police. The case highlights the importance of coordinated police action and inter-state cooperation in tackling organised vehicle theft. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to taking strict action against habitual offenders and ensuring the safety of residents’ property across the district.