By The News Observer Desk,
YELLAPUR: In a crisp pre-dawn swoop on Wednesday, Yellapur police caught an eight-member inter-state robbery gang red-handed on the national highway, just as they were gearing up to strike at the famous Marikamba Jatra in Sirsi.
Acting on specific tip-off, a team led by PSI Siddappa Gudi raided the area near K. Milan Hotel on the Hubballi road in the wee hours. The officers rounded up all eight suspects from Pune, Maharashtra, and during questioning they admitted they were on their way to commit theft at the Sirsi fair. The arrested persons are: Umesh Rama Gaikwad, Shrinath Shankar Jadhav, Lakhan Suhas Jadhav, Prashant Akhil Pawar, Deepak Chandralal Dumbani, Sundar Kailas Gaikwad, Nagubai Ganesh Jadhav, and Ambika Prakash Jadhav.
Police say the gang has a long history of targeting crowded tourist spots and popular jatras across South India. For the past three to four years they have been moving from state to state, stealing and robbing pilgrims and visitors. They are known to turn violent — pelting stones at anyone who tries to stop them. The group had earlier been involved in theft cases in Gokarna and Murdeshwar in Uttara Kannada district.
From the accused, officers seized a Maruti Ertiga car, four monkey caps, packets of chilli powder, seven mobile phones, four iron rods and other items — all together worth around ₹4 lakh.
The entire operation was carried out under the guidance of CPI Ramesh Hanapur. Key roles were played by PSI Rajshekhar Vandal, PSI Siddappa Gudi, PSI Anil Madar, PSI Mahantesh Kumbar, ASI Gajanan Nayak and a large team of constables including Mohammad Shafi Sheikh, Rajesh Nayak, Basavaraj Hagari, Prashant Pavaskar, Chandrappa, Shobha Nayak, Rekha M.S., Shrikant Katabar, Parameshwara Bendagatti, Basavaraj Kambali, Girish Lamani, Parameshwara S., Nagaraj Nayak, Suresh, Mahaveer, Channakeshava, Rachappa, Gangadhar, Santosh Baler and staff from the Karwar Technical Cell.
