Mangaluru Police crack Kotekar Cooperative Society’s robbery case, arrest three
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, January 20, 2025: In a significant breakthrough, Mangaluru police have arrested three suspects in connection with the robbery at the Kotekar Agricultural Cooperative Society’s KC Road branch. The daring heist, carried out on January 17 between 1:00 PM and 1:20 PM, saw masked assailants loot cash and gold jewelry worth approximately Rs 4 crore.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Murugandi Thevar, Yosuva Rajendran alias Prakash (35), and Kannan Mani (36). Acting on a tip-off, police apprehended the suspects during a coordinated operation in PadmaNeri village near Tamil Nadu.
Murugandi Thevar, son of Shimurugam Sundram, hails from Ammankovil, PadmaNeri village in Tamil Nadu. Yosuva Rajendran is a resident of Dombivili West, Mumbai, while Kannan Mani resides in Tilak Nagar, Chembur, Mumbai.
During the operation, authorities recovered a Fiat car used in the crime, two pistols with three live rounds, machetes, and a portion of the stolen valuables, packed in two gunny bags. The recovered items, which include cash and gold, are being inventoried to determine their exact value.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the robbery was orchestrated by a notorious gang with links to Tamil Nadu and Mumbai’s Dharavi. The arrested suspects are believed to be the key perpetrators of the crime. Police are actively pursuing other gang members to recover the remaining stolen property.
A case has been registered at Ullal Police Station under Crime No. 07/2025, invoking sections of the IPC, Arms Act, and BNS Act.
The swift action by Mangaluru police has drawn widespread praise from the local community, providing relief and underscoring the department’s effectiveness in tackling high-profile crimes.
Speaker U T Khader commends police
Speaker U T Khader has praised the police for their swift and commendable action in tracking down and arresting the accused involved in the daylight robbery at the Kotekar Cooperative Society in Thalapady.
He lauded the bold efforts of the police in apprehending the suspects in Tamil Nadu within a short span of time, stating that this swift action has reinforced public trust and confidence in the police department. “Gratitude to the police for their relentless efforts,” he added.