Mangalore City Police Successfully Apprehend Dacoity Suspects Following Brazen Daylight Heist
Mangaluru: In a remarkable display of efficiency and coordination, the Mangalore City Police have successfully apprehended four suspects believed to be involved in a daring dacoity that took place on January 17, at the Kotekar Co-operative Bank, K.C. Road, Talapady Branch. The incident, which occurred between 1:00 PM and 1:20 PM, has raised significant concerns regarding the security measures employed by financial institutions in the region.
Eyewitness accounts and preliminary reports indicate that a group of four masked and armed individuals, wielding pistols and knives, stormed the bank premises in a meticulously planned operation. The assailants executed the robbery with alarming precision, making off with substantial amounts of cash and gold jewelry. The brazen nature of the crime was exacerbated by apparent lapses in the bank’s security protocols, notably the failure of the CCTV cameras due to maintenance work and the master locker being left open. These oversights provided the offenders with an opportunity to carry out their illicit activities with relative ease, raising questions about the adequacy of security measures in place at financial institutions.
Following the incident, a case was registered at Ullal Police Station under Crime No. 07/2025, invoking several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Arms Act. These include sections related to robbery, criminal conspiracy, and unlawful possession of firearms. In response to the gravity of the situation, the police promptly formed multiple investigative teams to analyze the available evidence and trace the accused.
In an impressive demonstration of law enforcement acumen, the Mangalore City Police were able to apprehend the main suspects in a remarkably short timeframe. The first of the accused, Kannan Mani (36 years), was arrested on January 20, 2025, in Tiruvannamalai. On the same day, two other suspects, Murugandi Thevar (36 years) and Yosuva Rajendran (35 years), were taken into custody in Amba Samadrumam. The final suspect, M. Shanmugasundaram (65 years), was apprehended on January 23, 2025, also in Amba Samadrumam.
During interrogation, the suspects disclosed critical details regarding the planning and execution of the robbery, which had reportedly been in the works for six months. The group, which initially met in Taloja Jail, had conspired with a local associate named Shashi Thevar, who remains at large. The accused conducted reconnaissance of the bank on three separate occasions to devise entry and exit strategies, strategically selecting a Friday for the heist, and anticipating that local residents would be preoccupied with prayers.
The sequence of events leading up to the crime began on January 16, 2025, when Murugandi Thevar and three associates departed from Tilak Nagar, Mumbai, in a Fiat car. Kannan Mani and another individual traveled by train, while the group altered the car’s number plates twice to evade detection. After assembling in Surathkal, the suspects proceeded to the bank to execute the robbery.
In the aftermath of the crime, Murugandi Thevar and Yosuva Rajendran fled to Kerala via Talapady Gate in the Fiat car, while the other three suspects dispersed, utilizing various modes of transportation to escape the city.
The total value of property lost during the robbery was estimated at 18.6743 kilograms of gold and ₹11,67,044 in cash. However, the police have since recovered a significant portion of the stolen items, including 18.314 kilograms of gold, ₹83,80,500 in cash, two pistols, three live rounds, two machetes, and the Fiat car used in the commission of the crime.
The arrested individuals have varying criminal backgrounds, with Murugandi Thevar and Yosuva Rajendran having previous cases related to robbery and arms offenses. Kannan Mani has a record of criminal activity as well, while M. Shanmugasundaram has no prior cases against him.
The Mangalore City Police are continuing their investigation to identify and apprehend the remaining accomplices involved in the dacoity, as well as to recover any outstanding stolen property. Authorities are also looking into the involvement of any local individuals who may have assisted the suspects in executing their plan.