Harapanahalli police have arrested three individuals involved in a gold jewellery theft worth Rs 61.3 lakh, weighing 806 grams, during its transport from Davanagere to Vijayapura on a private bus. The incident occurred around midnight on Sunday, according to SP Sriharibabu BL.
Goldsmiths and traders commonly transport raw gold and jewellery between Davanagere and Vijayapura via this private bus, which is typically trusted for safe transit. However, this time, the bus driver, conductor, and an accomplice conspired to commit the crime.
The bus driver, Manjunath (39) from Holehonnur, Bhadravati taluk, and conductor Krishna Lakkappa Lamani (26) from Guttal Thanda, Haveri district, collaborated with Nityananda (33) of Kerekatte village, Channagiri taluk, who impersonated a police officer to carry out the theft.
On March 16, four individuals handed parcels to the bus conductor in Davanagere. At around 12:30 am, when the bus reached Telgi in Harapanahalli taluk, the conductor contacted one parcel owner, Kumar, claiming that a police officer had stopped the bus and seized the parcel, alleging illegal transportation of gold. The conductor instructed Kumar to visit the police station the next day to retrieve the parcel.
Suspecting foul play, Kumar reported the incident to Harapanahalli police on March 17. Subsequent interrogation of the bus driver in Vijayapura unraveled the conspiracy.
The police seized three mobile phones and the vehicle used in the crime. The operation was led by SP Sriharibabu BL and ASP Salim Pasha, supported by officers including DSP Venkatappa Nayak, CPI Nagaraj M Kammar, CPI Deepak Boosareddy, and other PSIs.
