Udupi: Police have arrested two persons in connection with an inter-district motorcycle theft case reported from the Manipal area. The arrests were made following an investigation into the theft of a two-wheeler that had been parked near Coin Circle on October 30, police officials said on January 16, 2026.
The accused have been identified as Kiran B N (32) and Yogesh Naik N (22), both residents of Shivamogga district. Police said the arrests mark a significant breakthrough in curbing vehicle thefts involving inter-district networks.
Complaint led to focused investigation
According to police, the case was registered at the Manipal Police Station after the owner of the two-wheeler lodged a complaint stating that the vehicle had gone missing from near Coin Circle, a busy area with regular movement of students and residents. Based on the complaint, a case was registered and a detailed investigation was initiated.
Police officials said that initial inquiries pointed towards the involvement of organised offenders who target parked two-wheelers in urban and semi-urban areas and transport them across district borders to avoid detection.
Accused traced across districts
During the course of the investigation, police analysed CCTV footage from nearby locations, verified technical inputs and gathered intelligence on suspected offenders involved in similar thefts. This led to the identification of the two accused, who were traced to Shivamogga district.
Police teams carried out sustained surveillance before apprehending the suspects. The arrested individuals were later brought to Manipal for further questioning and legal procedures.
One accused has prior criminal record
Police revealed that one of the accused, Kiran B N, has previous criminal cases registered against him at the Manipal Police Station. Officials said his involvement in earlier offences helped investigators narrow down their suspect list and establish links to the current theft case.
“The background of the accused indicated repeat involvement in vehicle theft cases. This helped us connect the dots during the investigation,” a police officer said.
Operation under senior officers’ guidance
The successful operation was carried out under the guidance of Udupi Deputy Superintendent of Police Prabhu D T and under the supervision of Manipal Police Station Inspector Mahesh Prasad.
Police Sub-Inspectors Anil B M and Akshaya Kumari S N played a key role in the investigation and arrest process. They were supported by staff members Vishwajith, Chethan, Ajmal, Raviraj and Manjunath, who were part of the field team involved in tracking and apprehending the accused.
Senior officers appreciated the coordinated effort of the team and said such focused operations were essential to deter repeat offenders and organised theft gangs.
Concern over rising vehicle thefts
Police officials said two-wheeler thefts remain a concern in areas with high population movement, especially near commercial hubs, educational institutions and public spaces. Thieves often exploit gaps in surveillance and poorly secured parking spaces to commit such crimes.
They added that inter-district gangs frequently move stolen vehicles to other regions to make recovery difficult and to sell them through informal channels.
Advisory to vehicle owners
In the wake of the arrests, police have advised two-wheeler owners to take precautionary measures to prevent theft. These include parking vehicles in well-lit and monitored areas, using additional locking mechanisms and avoiding leaving vehicles unattended for long periods.
Citizens have also been encouraged to report suspicious activity around parked vehicles to the nearest police station or through helpline numbers.
Legal proceedings underway
Police said the accused will be produced before the court and further investigation is underway to determine whether they are involved in other theft cases across districts. Efforts are also being made to recover the stolen motorcycle and verify if additional vehicles were stolen by the accused.
Officials said strict legal action would be taken against those involved, and investigations would continue to dismantle networks engaged in inter-district vehicle theft.
Police reaffirm commitment
Concluding, police officials reiterated their commitment to maintaining law and order and protecting citizens’ property. They said regular patrols, surveillance and intelligence-based operations would be intensified to prevent vehicle thefts and bring offenders to justice.