Two held for temple idol thefts across Yacharam, Ibrahimpatnam; Rs 5.36 lakh property recovered
Two thieves behind temple idol thefts across Yacharam, Ibrahimpatnam held; property worth Rs 5.36 lakh recovered
By Newsmeter Network
Two held for temple idol thefts across Yacharam, Ibrahimpatnam; Rs 5.36 lakh property recovered
Hyderabad: Rachakonda police arrested two habitual offenders involved in a series of temple idol thefts across Yacharam, Ibrahimpatnam and Abdullapurmet mandals, recovering stolen property worth over Rs 5.36 lakh.
Accused identified
The arrested persons have been identified as K Sivananda (52), a native of Kurnool staying in Vanasthalipuram for the past six months and Shaik Ham Shareef (38) of Vallapally village, Prakasam district, who was homeless and moving around labour addas in LB Nagar area.
Modus operandi
Both accused, daily wage workers and habitual drinkers, became acquainted at labour addas. In desperate need of money, A1 Sivananda hatched a plan to commit temple idol thefts. They used hired autos and later a stolen bike for their operations, moving around villages for recce before targeting temples.
Series of thefts
Police said the duo committed thefts in the following sequence:
February 27: Stole four temple bells from Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple and Sivalayam at Ganlaguda, Yacharam mandal.
June 15: Stole a Pustela thadu and two deepam stands from Mallanna Swamy temple, Upparaguda, Ibrahimpatnam mandal.
June 24: Stole a Honda Shine bike (AP28CE4724) parked near Metro Cash and Carry, Uppal.
June 29: Stole Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana panchaloha idols from Hanuman temple, Saddupally village; and later on the same day, three Ayyappa Swamy panchaloha idols, one silver idol, and pooja items from Dandumailaram village. They sold these items to a local scrap dealer for Rs 18,500.
June 30: Stole Peddaraju and Peddamma idols from Shiva Ganga temple at Polkampally village, and four panchaloha idols along with a gold mangalsutra from Hanuman temple in the same village.
Arrest and recovery
Based on credible information, CCS LB Nagar and Ibrahimpatnam police apprehended both accused at Mangalpally X road on July 2 at 8:30 am. Stolen property worth Rs 5,36,300 was recovered from them and the receiver.
Previous criminal record
Police revealed that Sivananda was previously involved in five cases of theft and burglary registered in Kazipet, Meerpet and Nagole police stations. Shaik Ham Shareef had no prior criminal record.
Cases registered
The duo has been booked under multiple cases at Yacharam, Ibrahimpatnam, Abdullapurmet and Uppal police stations under relevant sections of the BNS for theft and related offences, said Rachakonda Commissioner of Police G Sudheer Babu.
