Kodagu, Karnataka: Kodagu district police have arrested four persons in connection with separate theft cases involving coffee, black pepper, oxen, cash, and gold jewellery and are continuing the search for other members of the gang.
Arrests and Accused:
KM Ubaid, 36, Channayyana Kote
PM Mujeeb, 36, Kottamudi village, Kodagu
Abdul Rehman, 34, Katikolam, Manandwadi, Kerala
Bhadrappa Basappa Hadapada, 27, Mannur village, Vijayapura (caretaker theft case)
Coffee and Pepper Theft:
On Dec 21, MA Uthaiah, a Devapura resident, reported 15 bags of coffee stolen from his field.
On Feb 19, TH Hanif of Channangolli reported 11 bags of black pepper stolen to Gonikoppa police station.
Oxen and Vehicle Theft:
On Feb 28, police intercepted illegal cattle transportation near Thithimathi sub-station. The suspects were found to have stolen two oxen from Bilikere limits and a vehicle from Hunsur limits.
Police seized Rs 1,43,500 in cash, three vehicles, and two oxen from the accused.
Caretaker Theft Case:
Police arrested Bhadrappa Basappa Hadapada, who posed as Mahantesh Pujara, caretaker of an elderly resident in Madikeri.
Following a complaint of theft of Rs 5.5 lakh and gold jewellery on Feb 28, he was arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
Seized items included Rs 5,09,000 in cash, 137g of gold, and a mobile phone. Police reported he was previously involved in a theft case in Davanagere (2025).
Police Statement:
Kodagu SP Bindu Mani confirmed that the accused were habitual offenders, involved in multiple thefts spanning coffee, pepper, cattle, vehicles, and home robberies. Investigations are ongoing to trace other gang members.
