Three Suspicious Bikes Found in Malaprabha River Near Bailhongal; Link to Saundatti Jewellery Theft Suspected

Belagavi: In a significant development, three motorcycles were found under suspicious circumstances in the Malaprabha River near Nayanagar in Bailhongal taluk of Belagavi district. Police suspect that the vehicles may be linked to the recent jewellery shop theft reported in Saundatti town, raising fresh concerns in the region.

According to preliminary information, the bikes were discovered in the river near a bridge, leading authorities to believe that miscreants may have thrown them into the water to destroy evidence. Local residents who noticed the submerged vehicles alerted the police, triggering an immediate response from the Bailhongal police team.

With the help of locals, officers retrieved all three motorcycles from the river. Two of the bikes bore registration numbers KA-25 G 1459 and KA-24 J 7907, while the third vehicle did not have a number plate, further intensifying suspicions. Police officials stated that the bikes might have been stolen and later used in criminal activities before being disposed of to erase traces.

The discovery has sparked anxiety among residents, as it comes nearly one and a half months after a daring robbery in Saundatti. On December 22, a group reportedly identified as the “Chaddi gang” broke into a jewellery shop in Saundatti town and fled with gold ornaments worth approximately ₹12 lakh. Investigators believe the accused may have used these motorcycles to execute the crime and later dumped them in the river to avoid detection.

Authorities are currently verifying the ownership details of the recovered bikes and examining whether they match the vehicles seen in CCTV footage from the jewellery store robbery. Forensic examination and technical analysis are expected to provide further clarity.

Police officials have neither confirmed nor ruled out a direct connection between the recovered bikes and the Saundatti theft but indicated that all angles are being probed. The case has gained renewed momentum with this discovery, and investigators hope the vehicles could provide crucial leads to track down the culprits.

Further investigation is underway, and additional details are expected once forensic and registration checks are completed.