Karkala police have arrested two men for allegedly stealing copper cladding from the roof of the Parashuram Theme Park building at Ummikal Hill in Bailoor. The accused were identified as Arif alias Munna (37) of Church Gudde, Kalavaru, and Abdul Hameed (32) of Kavoor, both residents of Mangaluru.
According to police, the duo broke open the main door of the theme park building on January 3, trespassed inside, and removed copper cladding fixed on the roof before fleeing the spot. A case was subsequently registered at Karkala city police station.
Following the incident, Udupi district superintendent of police Hariram Shankar constituted three special investigation teams. After sustained searches across Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts, including Mangaluru city, the accused were traced and arrested.
Police recovered 51 kg of stolen copper cladding valued at Rs 45,000, two ceiling fans worth Rs 1,200, a goods autorickshaw worth Rs 1 lakh used in the crime, and a motorcycle valued at Rs 70,000 from the accused.
Investigators revealed that Arif alias Munna has more than nine criminal cases registered against him across multiple police stations, including Padubidri, Udupi city, Brahmavar, Karkala rural, and Mulki Moodbidri. Abdul Hameed also has prior cases registered at Bajpe and Moodbidri police stations.
Police said efforts are underway to trace other absconding accused linked to the theft. The operation was carried out under the supervision of Karkala subdivision Deputy Superintendent of Police Prabhu D T, with Karkala city police inspector Manjappa D R and other officers and staff participating.
