Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Jun 9: Manipal Police have busted an interstate house-burglary gang and arrested two members of the notorious “TATTO 313” network, recovering stolen gold ornaments worth around Rs 7.9 lac in a case of house break-in under Shivalli village limits.
The burglary was reported at a residence in Manchikodi, Kunjibettu, Shivalli village under the jurisdiction of Manipal police station.
The complainant, Amit Daniel, had locked his house and left for his mother’s residence along with his children in the early hours of February 3. On February 4, neighbours informed him that the house door had been found open.
On inspection, he discovered that burglars had broken into the house and stolen around 75 grams of gold jewellery valued at nearly Rs 7 lac. Based on the complaint, Manipal police registered a case.
A breakthrough came on June 6 when PSI (Investigation) Shambhulingayya and station crime staff, including Raviraj and Manjunath, were on night patrol duty. They noticed two suspicious persons loitering near Indrali Railway Godown Road in Shivalli village.
On questioning, the accused were identified as Darshan R (21), a resident of Singasandra, Bengaluru, and Chandru (26), a resident of Basavanahalli in Davanagere district.
During interrogation, the duo allegedly confessed that they had been targeting locked houses near railway tracks by breaking open doors and committing thefts. They further admitted that they had arrived in the area intending to commit another burglary.
Police seized burglary tools found in their possession and took them to the station for further investigation.
During detailed questioning by police inspector Mahesh Prasad, the accused were linked to the Manipal burglary case. They were arrested and produced before the court, after which police secured custody for recovery of stolen property.
The accused reportedly revealed that the stolen jewellery had been hidden in a lodge room in Shivamogga. Acting on their information, police recovered gold ornaments including a gold black-bead (karimani) chain weighing 39.70 grams valued at Rs 5.06 lac, a gold necklace weighing 13.30 grams valued at Rs 1.86 lac, a pair of earrings weighing 3.15 grams valued at Rs 44,000, and a gold chain weighing 3.87 grams valued at Rs 54,000. In total, 60 grams of gold ornaments worth Rs 7.9 lac were recovered. Two mobile phones were also seized from the accused.
Investigations revealed that the accused are members of the “TATTO 313” gang, identified by tattoos marked on their hands. The gang is believed to target locked houses near railway stations across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Members reportedly operate at night wearing masks, gloves and socks to avoid leaving traces, while using iron tools to break open doors.
Police said the accused have multiple criminal cases registered against them in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Their involvement in a burglary case reported under Surathkal police station limits in September 2025 has also come to light.
Police officials added that efforts are under way to trace and arrest two more accused linked to the gang.