The Karkala Town Police have arrested Areef alias Munna (37) and Abdul Hameed (32) in connection with the theft of copper sheets from Parashurama Theme Park atop Bailoor Ummikallu Hill in Karkala.
The incident occurred on January 3, when unknown individuals broke open the main entrance of the park building and stole copper cladding sheets fixed to the roof. Based on a complaint, a case was registered at Karkala Town Police Station under sections 331(3), 331(4), and 305 of BNS, 2023.
Authorities revealed that Areef has more than nine criminal cases registered across Padubidri, Udupi town, Brahmavar, Karkala Rural, Mulki, and Moodbidri, while Abdul Hameed has previous cases at Bajpe and Moodbidri police stations.
Considering the sensitivity of the case, SP Hariram Shankar formed three special teams that conducted extensive search operations across Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Mangaluru. The teams gathered credible intelligence that led to the arrest of the accused.
Police recovered 51 kg of stolen copper sheets worth Rs45,000, two ceiling fans worth Rs1,200, and the vehicles used in the crime—a goods auto-rickshaw valued at Rs1 lakh and a motorcycle worth Rs70,000. The total estimated value of the recovered items is approximately Rs2.2 lakh. Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other accomplices.
