Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Dec 2: In a swift and efficient operation, the Udupi City police arrested a habitual housebreaker and recovered stolen gold ornaments valued at Rs 65,79,720.

The case was registered following a complaint filed on November 30 by Shaila Wilhelm Meena (53) of Rose Villa, Sharadamba Temple Gopura, Volakadu, 76 Badagubettu Village, Udupi.

She reported that when she opened her bedroom cupboard around 8:30 am to wear jewellery before leaving for church, she found that approximately 548.31 grams of gold ornaments and a mobile phone had been stolen. Based on her complaint, a case was registered at Udupi Town police station.

Under the guidance of D T Prabhu, DySP, Udupi sub-division, and led by Mahesh Prasad P, Inspector (in-charge), Udupi Town police station, a special investigation team headed by PSI Bharatesh Kankanawadi — with team members Prasanna C, Jeevan Kumar, Santosh Shetty, Basheer, Surendra D, Anand S, Santosh Rathod and Santosh Gulwadi — was formed to trace the accused.

On Monday, December 2, the special team apprehended the accused, Sukesh Naik (37), a resident of Sridevi Nilaya, Kukkikatte, Kukkehalli village, Udupi. He was arrested near Hiren Bar, Kinnimulki, and interrogated. Based on his voluntary statement, the police recovered the stolen jewellery from a house in Ajjarkad.

A total of 548.31 grams of gold ornaments worth Rs 65.79 lac has been seized, and further legal action has been initiated against the accused.

Police confirmed that Sukesh Naik is a habitual offender, with 11 previous housebreaking cases registered across Udupi district. He was facing five cases in Udupi Town police station and had been convicted in four. In Hiriyadka police station, he had three cases, with one conviction. In Brahmavar police station, he faced two cases, and in Manipal police station one case currently under trial.