Three held within hours for snatching gold chain from elderly woman in Shirva; Malpe robbery accused arrested

Shirva (Udupi): In a swift operation, police arrested three accused within four hours of allegedly snatching a gold chain from an elderly woman in Shankarpura Kurkalu village of Kapu taluk in Udupi district.

The victim, Helen D’Souza (69), was reportedly tying jasmine flowers along with Geetha when three men, including a former tenant identified as Anand, arrived at her house enquiring about a rental room. After a brief conversation and tea, they were informed that no room was available and left for a neighbouring house.

However, one of the accused allegedly returned, asking for her mobile number so he could call if a room became available. While Helen was dictating her number, the man suddenly grabbed the 28-gram gold chain from her neck — valued at approximately ₹3.5 lakh — and fled with his accomplices on a Pulsar motorcycle.

A case was registered at the Shirva Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police immediately visited the scene and examined CCTV footage from nearby areas, which captured three suspects fleeing on a Pulsar bike.

Based on the footage, officers intercepted the accused at Shiruru checkpost within four hours of the incident. District Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar confirmed that one gold chain and the motorcycle used in the crime were seized.

Malpe robbery case: One arrested

In a separate incident near Malpe harbour, police arrested one accused in connection with the robbery of a fish trader.

The victim, Dayananda Kundar, who works at Malpe harbour, was returning from a restroom when an accused allegedly approached him under the pretext of enquiring about fish. The assailant reportedly threw chilli powder on his face and dragged him aside. Two more men joined him, threatened the trader with a knife and demanded his gold chain.

When he resisted, the trio allegedly assaulted him and robbed his 37.570-gram (around six sovereigns) gold chain worth approximately ₹6 lakh before fleeing. They also reportedly threatened to kill him if he approached the police.

A case was registered at the Malpe Police Station under relevant BNS sections. Police later arrested the prime accused, Muthanna (20), and recovered the stolen gold chain. The accused has been produced before a court, SP Hariram Shankar said.