Superintendent of Police Ramasubba told reporters that the accused are wanted in several cases in various parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Cases have been registered against them in Chithradurga, Belgaum and Hassan districts of Karnataka and Kadapa and Ananthpur districts of Andhra Pradesh.
Details of crimes
Meanwhile, the arrested admitted to have committed six murders and six petrol bunk robberies, the SP said, also stating that further investigation is expected to throw light on their role in several other crimes. They will get details of the cases in other police stations and recover the booty from them, he added.
Chay alias Soma (27), Ananda alias Ravi (25), Bijja alias Narvan (62), Basavaraju alias Kongadi (45), all the four hail from the Hakki-Pikki Colony, Shankarapura, Hunsur taluk, and Keesa alias Boran (18), from Panthbalakundri Thanda, Belgaum district. Reportedly all of them belong to the Hakki-Pikki community and are relatives.
Mr Ramasubba explained that the accused along with their gang leader Yashagundu, Sandal, Shakeeya, Lokeshi, Konga, Bhosle Shyam, Bhosle Agraja, Katli, Balaraju and Veeresh, had struck at petrol bunks, dhabas and stationary lorries on state and national highways in Bangalore, Belgaum and Bijapur districts in Karnataka and Ananthpur, Kadapa, Nallur, Guntur and Chittur districts in Andhra Pradesh.
Man hunt
Noting that they have already launched a man hunt to nab the other members of the gang, the SP exuded confidence that they will soon catch them. Also, explaining their modus operandi, he pointed out that the accused, along with their womenfolk, would erect tents near the places where they had planned to carry out robbery. Women would pose like plastic flower vendors and men as bird hunters so as to properly identify the target. They would cover their faces and attack with sharp weapons during midnights.
Prize
SP Ramasubba also announced a cash prize of Rs 10,000 to the police team that nabbed the accused. The team consisted of CPI Niranjanaraje Urs, PSI Thimmaraju, head constable Thirumalesh, constables H C Ravi, Prakash, Manohar, Ravikumar, Siddaraju, Ramesh, Vijaykumar, Javaraiah and Govindaraju. Additional SP Bhagawan Das were also present.