Mangaluru: Mangaluru City police have cracked two separate property theft cases by arresting two accused, including a key suspect in a gold chain-snatching case who allegedly escaped from police custody and a 40-year-old man accused of stealing a temple donation box containing around Rs 15,000.
The arrests were made by separate police teams after sustained efforts and based on information gathered during the investigation.
Chain-snatching suspect arrested in Vijayapura
The first case relates to a gold chain-snatching incident reported on June 14, 2026, near the village accountant’s office at Sooterpete.
According to police, a woman was targeted by a group of suspects who allegedly snatched her gold chain before fleeing from the spot on a motorcycle.
As part of the investigation, police detained three suspects near Rosario School in Pandeshwar on June 26. While the accused were being taken to the police station, one of them, identified as Altaf Hussain, a native of Bagalkote, allegedly attacked an on-duty police personnel.
Police said Hussain pushed the personnel and escaped from custody. The police officer sustained minor injuries in the incident.
Following the escape, Mangaluru South police registered a separate case under Crime No. 133/2026. Sections 121(1), 132 and 262 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) were invoked.
Special team tracks accused
Police had already recovered the stolen gold chain and the motorcycle allegedly used in the offence from Ravi Bora and Mohammed Sahil Siddiqui alias Mohammed Sahil, both residents of Uttar Pradesh.
A special team was subsequently formed to trace Altaf Hussain.
After sustained efforts and acting on credible information, the team traced Hussain to Vijayapura city on August 10.
Pandeshwar South police station Sub-Inspector Maruti P, along with police personnel Lakshman Salotgi, Sagar and Anjaneya, reportedly pursued and apprehended the accused.
Hussain was subsequently produced before the court for further legal proceedings.
According to police, six cases have been registered against Hussain at different police stations across Karnataka.
His alleged escape from custody had added another dimension to the chain-snatching investigation, prompting police to intensify efforts to locate him.
Temple donation box stolen in Surathkal
In the second case, Surathkal police arrested 40-year-old Sukhesh Naik in connection with the alleged theft of a donation box from Kordagabbu Daivasthana at Madhya Kodipady in Surathkal.
The theft reportedly took place at around 1.30 am on August 5.
According to police, the accused allegedly broke open the door and window of the daivasthana using an iron weapon before entering the premises.
He allegedly stole a donation box containing around Rs 15,000 in cash and fled from the premises.
Following the incident, Surathkal police registered Crime No. 96/2026 under Sections 331(4) and 305 of the BNS.
An investigation was launched to identify and trace the person responsible for the theft.
Accused detained at Surathkal railway station
Acting on credible information, police traced and detained Sukhesh Naik at Surathkal railway station on August 10.
Police said Naik admitted to committing the theft during questioning.
The accused was produced before the Mangaluru city court on August 11 as part of the legal proceedings.
The investigation subsequently revealed that Naik was allegedly involved in several other cases in Udupi district.
Police uncover 18 previous cases
According to police, further investigation revealed that 18 cases have been registered against Sukhesh Naik at various police stations in Udupi district.
Police also said that Naik had previously been convicted in one case.
Several arrest warrants are reportedly pending against him at different police stations in the district.
The information has prompted police to examine his alleged involvement in other property offences and to coordinate with police stations in Udupi district regarding the pending cases and warrants.
Police intensify action against repeat offenders
The two arrests highlight the efforts of Mangaluru City police to trace accused persons involved in property-related offences, including suspects with alleged criminal histories.
In the chain-snatching case, police continued their search even after the key accused allegedly escaped from custody and eventually traced him to Vijayapura.
In the Surathkal temple theft case, investigators used information gathered during the probe to identify and apprehend the accused at a railway station.
Both accused have been produced before the court, and further legal proceedings and investigation are under way.
Police are also expected to examine whether the accused in either case were involved in other similar offences and establish the full circumstances surrounding the reported crimes.