Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 16: Police personnel of Bajpe station here have succeeded in arresting six persons including four women relating to several incidents of pickpocketing which happened in various temples located in coastal Karnataka and Goa.

Six persons include four women. They have been accused of being involved with several pickpocketing cases in the temples of coastal Karnataka and Goa.

The four women and two young men had stolen a handbag and purse belonging to Yashoda Gowda, who was on a visit to Goddess Durgaparameshwari temple at Kateel on January 12. A complaint was filed by the lady at Bajpe police station.

The police, acting on reliable information, arrested Yamunappa Muttappa Chalawadi (55), Prakash Chennappa (26), Sobha Muttagar (40), Kumaramma Maruti Muttagar (45), Shanthamma Muttagar (55), and Chandrashekhar Shivareddappa Karamudi (49). Seven mobile phones, Rs 21,540 in cash, and a Toofan vehicle used for the thefts were taken into possession and the accused were produced in the court.

The arrested accused, police sources said, have confessed during their questioning, of having spread their activity in Shanthadurga and Mangeshi temples in Goa, Gokarna, Idagunji, Murudeshwar, Kollur, Sringeri, Kateel and other leading temples.