Mangaluru: Two arrested in interstate vehicle theft and chain-snatching cases

Mangaluru: Two arrested in interstate vehicle theft and chain-snatching cases

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, December 17, 2025: Kadri police have arrested two interstate criminals in connection with a chain-snatching incident and a motorcycle theft reported in Bhatkal.

The accused, identified as Faisal alias Thota Faisal and Nithin Kumar of Mysuru, were taken into custody on Tuesday, December 16, following a detailed investigation by the crime wing of Kadri police.

The case came to light on December 12, when a Yamaha FZ motorcycle bearing registration number KA-19-ER-7755, parked near Sri Hari Complex at Yeyyadi, was reported stolen at Kadri police station.

During the investigation, police established the involvement of the accused in a chain-snatching incident that took place on December 13 at Gardi Hittlu Belake in Bhatkal taluk. In the incident, a 70-year-old woman, Honnamma Mahadeva Naik, was targeted by the accused.

Police recovered a gold chain worth approximately ₹1.20 lakh and the motorcycle used in the crime, valued at around ₹45,000.

The accused have been identified as Faisal alias Thota Faisal, son of Ibrahim and a resident of Ullal, and Nithin Kumar, son of Y N Nagesh and a resident of Vinayakanagar in Mysuru. During interrogation, both confessed to their involvement in the offences.

Police said Faisal is involved in around 42 criminal cases across Karnataka, including cases registered in Udupi, Karkala, Manipal, Mangaluru, Belthangady, Vittal, Kankanady City, Puttur, Shirva, Surathkal, Kadaba, Konaje and Kushalnagar in Madikeri, besides cases in Kerala. The cases include charges of robbery, dacoity, theft and murder. More than ten non-bailable warrants are pending against him in various courts, and he had been absconding to evade legal action.

The operation was led by Mangaluru East Police Inspector Ananth Padmanabha, along with PSI Manohar Prasad, ASIs Chandrashekar, Sudhakar Rao and Rajasekhar, head constables Lokesh, Santosh D K, Suresh, Dilip, Mohan and Mallappa B, and police constables Sunil, Manikanth, Maula Ahmed and Manjunath Vaddar, with the support of Kadri police station staff.