Mangaluru: Police investigations have revealed that the daring dacoity at the Kotekar Vyavasaya Seva Sahakari Sangha in Talapady on January 17 was the result of meticulous planning by a gang of criminals. The plan, hatched in Taloja Jail, culminated in masked and armed robbers looting 18.67 kg of gold and Rs 11.67 lakh in cash. While four of the accused have been arrested, one remains absconding.
The accused, who met in Taloja Central Jail in Navi Mumbai, began plotting the heist six months ago. With assistance from a local associate, Shashi Thevar, who remains absconding, the gang meticulously planned the crime. They conducted detailed reconnaissance of the bank premises, mapped entry and exit routes, and finalized logistics. The gang specifically chose Friday for the heist, anticipating locals would be preoccupied with prayers.
While the robbery was undertaken on Jan 17, the police teams arrested Kannan Mani (36 yrs) from Tiruvannamalai, Murugandi Thevar (36 yrs) and Yosuva Rajendran (35 yrs) on Jan 20 from Amba Samadrumam and M. Shanmugasundaram (65 yrs) in Amba Samadrumam on Jan 23.
Giving details about the case, City Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal said that on January 16, the group traveled from Mumbai to Mangaluru using a combination of vehicles and trains.
While Murugandi and three associates left Tilak Nagar, Mumbai, in a Fiat car, Kannan Mani and one other person traveled by train. The car's number plates were changed twice—once near Shirur Gate (fake MH number) and again at Surathkal (fake KA 04 number). All the accused assembled in Surathkal and headed to the bank.
The robbers stormed the bank, threatened the staff and customers, and fled with gold and cash. The robbers had taken advantage of non-functional CCTV cameras and an open master locker at the bank, which allowed them to carry out the crime with minimal resistance.
Following the heist, the gang split into smaller groups to evade capture. Murugandi Thevar and Yosuva Rajendran escaped to Kerala via Talapady Gate in the Fiat car. Three accused traveled to the Central Railway Station by auto, one by bus, and escaped the city. Through digital tracking and local intelligence, the police were able to trace their movements and recover most of the stolen property intact.
As per the mahazar report, the robbers took 18.67 kg of gold and Rs 11.67 lakh in cash. The Mangaluru City Police formed special teams and launched an intensive investigation. Within days, the police tracked down the accused. The police recovered a Fiat car, 2.029 kg gold, Rs 3,80,500 cash, 2 machetes, 2 pistols, and 3 live rounds from Murugandi Thevar, while 16.285 kg gold was recovered from M. Shanmugasundaram.
Murugandi Thevar and Yosuva Rajendran, have a history of involvement in high-profile robberies, such as the Popular Finance robbery, and face multiple cases under the IPC, Arms Act, and MCOCA.
The investigation is ongoing as efforts continue to apprehend the absconding suspect, Shashi Thevar, and recover the remaining stolen property. The police are also probing the possible involvement of local accomplices.
