The Rachakonda Central Crime Station (CCS) LB Nagar in collaboration with Ibrahimpatnam Police arrested three individuals involved in a major idol theft case. Authorities recovered 13 stolen idols made of panchaloha and other temple materials worth Rs 5.36 lakh.
The arrested accused include Karacha Sivananda (52) from Kurnool, Sk Ham Shareef (38) from Prakasam District, and idol receiver Akkapalli Kranthi Kumar (31) of Uppal. The arrests took place at Mangalpally Road on Wednesday morning.
Police investigations revealed that Sivananda, who had been residing in Vanasthalipuram for six months doing labor work, teamed up with Shareef, who is homeless and frequents labor addas in LB Nagar. The duo planned the thefts after scouting temples in Yacharam and Ibrahimpatnam mandals.
Their crime spree began with stealing four temple bells from Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple and Sivalayam at Gandlaguda on February 27. On June 15, they stole a heavy Pustela thadu (100 mg) and two Deepam stands from Mallanna Swamy temple in Upparaguda village. Multiple thefts of idols, bells, and hundies were reported in the police jurisdictions of Yacharam and Ibrahimpatnam.
On receiving a tip-off, police apprehended the trio at Mangalpally Road at 8:30 am and seized stolen items worth Rs 5,36,300.
Rachakonda Police Commissioner G Sudheer Babu confirmed the arrests and stated that the investigation is ongoing to track any further accomplices and recover additional stolen property.
