Manappuram heist: One more arrested

Police recover Rs 35 lakh from suspect

The West Division police arrested one more person in connection with the theft of 15.8 kg gold from a Manappuram Finance outlet at Jnana Ganga Nagar in Jnanabharathi police limits recently.

The suspect has been identified as Paramashivam, a resident of Choodasandra, from whom Rs 35 lakh was recovered. The police had arrested six persons a week ago. With Paramashivam’s arrest, the police claimed to have arrested all the seven persons involved in the heist.

The seven accused barged into the office of Manappuram Finance Ltd in Jnana Ganga Nagar in western Bengaluru, fled with 15.8 kg of gold jewellery and Rs two lakh in cash, after threatening the staff with lethal weapons.

They were all residents of Arasu Nagar and later moved to Choodasandra slum. They told the police that they were inspired by a Tamil film and a news story about a heist. They had borrowed money from various sources and found it difficult to repay their loans. They decided to burgle the finance firm to become rich overnight, said the police.

Four held for abduction

Four persons have been arrested for abducting a businessmen for ransom on Friday. The suspects have been identified as Harish (29), S Umesh (26), both residents of Rajajinagar 1st block, M Prashanth (24) from R T Nagar and Prathap (23) from Kadugondanahalli. The police recovered seven gold ingots each weighing 100 grams worth Rs 20 lakh, said the police.

Mangal Das (49), a resident of Rajajinagar, 1st block owns Guruprasad Jewellers and Gems, a jewellery outlet on 19th Main Road, Rajajinagar. Harish would often call up Das and ask him to buy a flat for a reasonable price, but Das had not shown any interest. Harish came with his associates and met Das at his outlet.

He cooked up a story that he would show Das a flat at a highly reasonable price and took him in his car. He took the businessman to a building under construction near Hebbal and demanded Rs 50 lakh. The suspects threatened to stab Das if he failed to pay them the money, said the police.

Das told them that he did not have Rs 50 lakh and could offer them seven gold ingots worth Rs 20 lakh kept at his outlet. The suspects took him back to his outlet, collected the gold ingots and fled. They warned Das against approaching the cops.

Das’ family members grew suspicious as he was very stressed. When questioned, Das narrated the entire incident. The family members approached the police and lodged a complaint. Based on the details of the complaint, the police arrested all four culprits on Saturday morning.

Three thieves arrested

The West Division police arrested three persons who would rob passengers in the KSRTC and Kempegowda Bus Stand. The suspects have been identified as Nagaraju (35), Padma Nagaraju (23), both from Malavalli taluk and Krishna (35), from Agrahara village. The police recovered stolen valuables worth Rs 28 lakh from them.

According to the police, the suspects were employed at a stone quarry in Mandya. They would come to Bengaluru whenever they did not have work at the quarry and operate in and around the Majestic area. They would identify passengers carrying heavy luggages and rob them  of their valuables.

They would also identify locked houses and commit thefts. They were involved in 14 cases in Upparpet, Cottonpet, Madivala and Jnanabharathi localities, said the police.