THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A three-member gang, wanted in connection with a series of
theft cases in
Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram has been arrested by city
shadow police.
The police identified the accused as Ullas, 37, a resident of Kattaikonam, Rajesh,36, a resident of Kollam and Santosh, 34, a resident of Chirayinkeezhu.
Kazhakootam police arrested them at Kazhakootam railway station while they were reportedly planning for another theft. They revealed their involvement in a series of thefts during the questioning.
A month ago, they had stolen gold ornaments worth 50 sovereigns from the house of Mohammad Shafi at Chathannoor, Kollam. The theft occurred in a house a few days after a wedding was conducted. The residents found out that the gold was missing at around 11.30 pm and they had gone out around 8.30 pm. The unusual timing of theft had confused the police as normally such gangs prefer odd hours for break-in. The gang had been going around the locality in search for houses where they could break in when they saw the residents of this house leaving around 8.30 pm. They were also wanted in connection with theft of hundi from various temples, theft of Gulf currency from a house at Mangalapuram and another theft at Mangalapuram. They have got cases registered at Chirayinkeezhu, Kazhakootam, Pothencodu, Punalur and Kollam. They never stayed at same place for long period and constantly shifted their locations and took houses for rent at Kollam, Palode, Kattaikonam, Punalur, Changanaserry and Thrissur.
The gang was arrested by a special squad formed by city police commissioner to probe theft cases which have not been proven in 2018. The team headed by control room AC PV Suresh Kumar included Kazhakootam CI Ajayakumar, SI Sudheesh Kumar, shadow SI Sunil Lal, Shadow ASIs Arunkumar, Yasodharan and city shadow police team member.
