Hyderabad: Hyderabad police arrested five members of an interstate gang responsible for multiple temple, shop, and bike thefts across the city. They also detained a juvenile involved in the crimes. A joint operation by the Commissioner’s Task Force (South East Zone) and IS Sadan police led to the seizure of stolen property worth ₹4 lakh.
Police crack spree of thefts in three days
On November 9, police caught the suspects during vehicle checks in Champapet. Investigators found that the gang had committed thefts between November 4 and 6. They targeted temples and shops in LB Nagar, Saidabad, Saroornagar, Begum Bazar, and Sultan Bazar. They also operated in Rachakonda limits, striking multiple locations overnight.
Police identified the accused as:
- Juvvala Tarun Kumar Raju (21): Listed by Bheemavaram police; linked to 41 previous cases
- Dagarapu Ellayya Raju (22): Involved in 30 cases
- Maruboyina Mavullu (19): Named in 6 cases
- Gandreddi Lokesh (19): Connected to 15 cases
- Konala Rajji (18): Lokesh’s wife; helped store stolen goods
- CCL-1 (juvenile): Aided the gang in multiple thefts
The team recovered ₹17,104 in cash, two stolen motorcycles, four mobile phones, and tools used in the crimes—iron rods, screwdrivers, spanners, and bags.
12 cases solved, including temples and shutter break-ins
Officials confirmed the gang was involved in 12 recent thefts:
- 4 temple thefts
- 6 shutter liftings
- 2 bike thefts
These occurred within the jurisdictions of Saidabad, IS Sadan, Saroornagar, Begum Bazar, Sultan Bazar, LB Nagar, Hayathnagar, and Nandigama police stations.
The gang used iron rods to break temple hundis and lift shop shutters. They stole cash and valuables and later reused stolen bikes for more crimes. After each incident, they returned to Bheemavaram to hide or sell the stolen goods.
Repeat offender led the gang
Gang leader Tarun Kumar Raju had previously been jailed by Ganavaram police. After securing bail, he resumed thefts and relocated to Hyderabad. He and his gang committed more than ten thefts in a single day before officers arrested them in Champapet.
Task Force coordinated swift crackdown
Task Force Commissioner Sri Ande Srinivas Rao oversaw the operation. Additional DCPs K. Srikanth (Task Force) and Sukhdev Singh (South East), along with ACP Santosh Nagar, Inspectors S. Saidababu, G. Nagaraju, N. Karuna Kumar, and SI K. Ramarao, coordinated the arrests.
Police presented the accused in court, which remanded them to judicial custody.