MANGALURU: The Surathkal police have arrested an inter-state vehicle thief from Kerala and successfully recovered a stolen pickup truck and motorcycle, police officials said. The operation highlights the continuing vigilance of local authorities in tackling organised vehicle thefts in the region.

The incident traces back to September 30, when a pickup truck parked at the residence of Sukumar in Kulai went missing around 9 pm. A theft case under Section 303(2) of BNS was subsequently registered at the Surathkal Police Station on October 3.

Suspicious movement leads to arrest

During the investigation, police observed a youth moving suspiciously on a bike in the area. Upon detaining him, he was identified as Hamza Kuppikanda, also known as Hamza Ponnan, a 29-year-old resident of Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala.

The police discovered that the motorcycle he was riding had no valid documents and was stolen from near a mall within the Mangaluru South Police Station limits. A separate case under Section 303(2) of BNS had already been registered in connection with the bike theft.

Recovery of stolen pickup truck

Further investigation revealed that Hamza was also responsible for stealing the pickup truck from Kulai on September 30. Both vehicles, valued at approximately Rs 3.1 lakh, were recovered by the police.

Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H described Hamza as a notorious thief involved in around 17 theft cases, including mobile phone and vehicle thefts, across various districts in Kerala.

Police operation and judicial action

The investigation and recovery operation was led by Inspector Pramod Kumar of Surathkal Police Station, with PSI Shashidhar Shetty, ASI Rajesh Alva, and staff members Umesh, Vinod Kumar, Nagaraj, and Sunil Kumar assisting in the case.

Hamza was produced before the court and has been remanded to judicial custody, ensuring that he remains in police custody while further investigations are underway.

Conclusion

The arrest of Hamza Kuppikanda underscores the importance of proactive policing and inter-state coordination in tackling organised theft networks. The recovery of both vehicles not only restores public confidence but also highlights the Surathkal police’s commitment to maintaining law and order.