In a major breakthrough, the East Godavari district police have arrested Parepalli Bobby, a resident of Anuru village in Thondangi mandal, Kakinada district, for a series of temple hundi thefts. Authorities recovered Rs 95,030 in stolen cash from him.
Central Zone DSP K Ramesh Babu revealed the arrest during a press briefing on Friday. Following recent temple hundi thefts in East Godavari and Rajamahendravaram rural areas, district SP D Narasimha Kishore formed a special investigation team under Additional SP (Crimes) Arjun’s direction. The team was led by III Town CI V Appa Rao, and included SI V Appalaraju, HC T Lova Kumar, and PCs B Vijay Kumar, P Mahesh Kumar, K Pavan Kumar, and K Srinivas.
Using traditional investigation methods combined with technical surveillance, the team tracked down the accused. He was intercepted during a vehicle check at Lingampeta but attempted to flee by reversing his auto. Police chased and apprehended him.
During interrogation, Bobby confessed to multiple temple hundi thefts. Police seized Rs 95,030 in cash, the auto used in the thefts, an electrical cutter for breaking locks, and a mobile phone.
DSP Ramesh Babu stated that the 25-year-old, who developed a gambling and partying habit, was inspired by crime videos on YouTube. He rented an auto to roam temple areas and stole from hundis using the electrical cutter.
The accused admitted planning to use the stolen money for a Goa trip and confessed to four temple offenses in Rajamahendravaram III Town and one in Korukonda. He also has pending cases in Tuni, Payakaraopeta, and Narsipatnam police stations.
