Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur

Puttur, Sep 4: In a successful night patrol operation, the police arrested two members of a gang red-handed while they were stealing diesel from a tanker parked on National Highway 75 near Alampadi cross in Kaukrady village under the Uppinangady police station limits.

The arrested have been identified as Jaimutha (23) and Muthu (28), both natives of Thoppanahalli village in Maddur taluk of Mandya district. Another accomplice, Mahadeva T K (27) from the same village, managed to escape during the operation.

For the past few days, continuous incidents of diesel theft from vehicles parked along the highway under the Uppinangady police limits had posed a significant challenge to the cops. Following this, the police had intensified their night patrolling in the area.

On Wednesday night, the patrol team noticed a Bolero pickup vehicle parked suspiciously near a tanker at Alampadi cross. As the police approached the vehicle for inquiry, three individuals fled the spot. The personnel chased them and managed to nab two. During interrogation, the duo confessed that they had come to steal diesel and admitted to committing similar thefts repeatedly in the past.

The police seized 40 plastic cans, each with a 35-litre capacity, from the accused. One of the cans contained 20 litres of stolen diesel. A rubber pipe used for extracting fuel, a tarpaulin, and the Bolero pickup vehicle were also confiscated.

Busting this inter-district gang from Mandya has brought much-needed relief to highway vehicle drivers. Uppinangady police sub-inspector Sutesh stated that a case has been registered at the Uppinangady police station and further investigations are underway.