Mangaluru city police recovered 18.314 kg of gold and ₹3.80 lakh cash stolen from Kotekar Vyavasaya Seva Sahakari Sangha bank. The daring robbery on January 17 involved four masked men armed with pistols and knives. Lapses like a master locker left open and non-functional CCTV cameras aided the heist.

Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal revealed the culprits had planned the crime for six months, conducting reconnaissance and exploiting local conditions like Friday prayers. Despite initial challenges, teams tracked the suspects, covering 2,700 km, and arrested four men: Murugan D Thevar, Kannan Mani, Yoshva Rajendran, and Shanmuga Sundaran.

The gang used a Fiat car with altered plates for the escape and intended to dispose of the loot in Mumbai. Police recovered almost all stolen gold, ₹3.80 lakh cash, pistols, ammunition, and the vehicle. The main conspirator, Shashi Thevar, and others remain at large.

This operation showcases the police’s persistence in ensuring justice for depositors.