Mangaluru Police have arrested 52-year-old Naveen Siquera, a resident of Chambugudde, Permannur, who had gone into hiding after being sentenced in a theft case. The arrest was made on 14 January 2026 at Suprabhat Bar and Restaurant, Honnekatte, Suratkal, based on confirmed intelligence.
Siquera had cases registered against him in 2011 and 2012 under FIR No. 195/2011, Section 392 IPC at Mangaluru East Police Station. After investigation, he was convicted and, in 2015, sentenced by the District Court to three years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 5,000.
Siquera later challenged the order in the High Court through a criminal writ petition. The High Court reduced his sentence to one year of simple imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 15,000, to be completed by 2022. The court also warned that non-compliance would result in reinstatement of the District Court’s original sentence.
After the verdict, Siquera went into hiding, prompting the court to issue a warrant for his arrest. Upon being apprehended at Suratkal, he was produced before the court, which reinstated the three-year rigorous imprisonment and Rs. 5,000 fine in accordance with the prior District Court order.
