Udupi: Manipal Police have cracked an interstate house theft racket operating under the name ‘Tatto 313 Gang’ by arresting two accused and recovering stolen gold ornaments worth ₹7.9 lakh. The gang is suspected to have been involved in multiple house burglaries across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
The breakthrough came during an investigation into a house theft reported in Kunjibettu Manchikodi in Shivalli village of Udupi taluk. Police officials said the accused targeted locked houses, particularly those located near railway stations and railway tracks.
House burglary reported in Shivalli
According to the complaint filed by Amitha Daniel, a resident of Shivalli village, she had locked her house on February 3 and gone to her mother’s residence along with her children.
The following day, neighbours informed her that the front door of her house was found open. Upon returning home, she discovered that unidentified persons had broken into the house and stolen approximately 75 grams of gold ornaments valued at around ₹7 lakh.
Based on the complaint, Manipal Police registered a case under Sections 331(3), 331(4) and 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launched an investigation.
Two suspects nabbed during night patrol
The investigation took a decisive turn on June 6 when PSI (Investigation) Shambhulingayya and crime staff members Raviraj and Manjunath noticed two suspicious individuals near Indrali Railway Godown Road in Shivalli village during a night patrol.
The suspects were identified as Darshan R (21), a resident of Raghavendra Layout in Singasandra, Bengaluru, and Chandru (26), a resident of Basavanahalla Gollarahatti in Davanagere district.
During preliminary questioning, the duo reportedly confessed that they specialised in targeting locked houses located near railway tracks and stealing valuables. They also admitted that they had come to the area with the intention of committing theft.
Stolen gold recovered from Shivamogga lodge
Following their detention, the accused were brought to Manipal Police Station and interrogated by Police Inspector Mahesh Prasad.
During questioning, the accused allegedly revealed that the stolen gold ornaments had been concealed in a room at a lodge in Shivamogga. Acting on the information, police recovered approximately 60 grams of gold ornaments valued at ₹7.9 lakh.
Police also seized two mobile phones from the accused as part of the investigation.
‘Tatto 313 Gang’ operated across states
Investigators revealed that both accused had the number “313” tattooed on their hands and identified themselves as members of the ‘Tatto 313 Gang’.
According to police, the gang targeted houses situated near railway stations across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The accused allegedly carried out burglaries during the night while wearing masks, gloves and socks to avoid leaving behind evidence.
They reportedly used iron tools to break open doors of locked houses before stealing valuables and fleeing the scene.
More arrests likely
Police said several criminal cases have been registered against the accused in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Investigations have also linked them to a house theft case reported at Surathkal Police Station in September 2025.
Authorities are currently searching for two more individuals believed to be associated with the gang. Further investigations are underway to determine the full extent of the group’s activities and recover any remaining stolen property.
The successful operation has been hailed as a significant breakthrough in tackling organised property crimes in the coastal region and neighbouring states.