Temple burglary gang behind 22 thefts across Karnataka nabbed; items worth ₹14.19 lakh seized
In a major breakthrough, the Tumakuru police arrested six members of an inter-district gang allegedly involved in a series of temple burglaries across multiple districts
In a major breakthrough, the Tumakuru police arrested six members of an inter-district gang allegedly involved in a series of temple burglaries across multiple districts in Karnataka. The accused were apprehended while allegedly preparing to commit a highway robbery near Jodugatte village in Mayasandra Hobli of Turuvekere taluk. According to the police, on the night of June 19, 2026, around 8.45 p.m., they came across a group of persons waiting near a bus stop on a mud road. Motorcycles were parked nearby, and the men were carrying chilli powder, knives and iron longs, allegedly to rob passing motorists.
Based on the seizure and subsequent investigation, Turuvekere police registered a case under Sections 310(4) and 310(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to breaking into temples and stealing gold thalis, ornaments, silver articles and cash from donation boxes in Tiptur, Chikkanayakanahalli, Koratagere, Madhugiri, Sira, Channarayapatna and Nagamangala police station limits. Police said they have so far solved 22 temple burglary cases linked to the gang, including eight in Turuvekere, two each in Midigeshi and Tiptur Rural, and one each in Dandinashivara, Kunigal, Amruthur, Kodigenahalli, Chikkanayakanahalli, K.B. Cross, Sira, C.S. Pura, Kuduru and Bindiganavile police station limits.
The investigation also revealed the gang’s involvement in a burglary at Vidyaranya High School in Benakenakere village under Turuvekere police limits. The police seized 25 gold thalis and other gold ornaments weighing 86 grams, three motorcycles, one autorickshaw, and two gas cylinders. The total value of the recovered property is estimated at ₹14.19 lakh. The arrested accused have been identified as Lion alias ATM alias Kulla (29) of Hassan district, Manjunath alias Magadi Manja (28) of Ramanagara district, Chandan (19), Madhusudhan alias Madhu (24), Babu alias Guru (22), and Narasimhamurthy alias Kariya (32).
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Tumakuru Superintendent of Police K.V. Ashok, with the investigation led by officers of the Kunigal sub-division and Turuvekere Circle. The SP and Central Range DIG S. Girish commended the investigation team for cracking the inter-district burglary racket.
The BriefWire