Udupi: Serial house thief arrested; gold worth Rs 65.79 lakh recovered

Udupi: Serial house thief arrested; gold worth Rs 65.79 lakh recovered

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, December 03, 2025: Udupi city police have arrested a house burglar and recovered stolen gold ornaments worth ₹65,79,720. The arrested accused has been identified as Sukesh Naik (37), a resident of Kukkikatte in Kukkehalli village.

The case was registered based on a complaint filed on November 30 by Sheila Wilhelm Meena (53), a resident of Rose Villa near the gopuram of Shri Sharadamba Temple, Volakadu, 76 Badagubettu village, Udupi.

At around 8:30 am, before leaving for church, she opened her bedroom cupboard to wear her jewellery and found that about 548.31 grams of gold ornaments along with her mobile phone were missing. Acting on her complaint, Udupi Town Police registered a case.

Under the guidance of Udupi Sub-Division DySP D.T. Prabhu and led by Udupi Town Police Inspector (In-charge) Mahesh Prasad P, a special investigation team was formed. The team, headed by PSI Bharatesh Kankanawadi, included Prasanna C, Jeevan Kumar, Santosh Shetty, Basheer, Surendra D, Anand S, Santosh Rathod, and Santosh Gulwadi.

On Monday, December 2, the special team arrested the accused, Sukesh Naik, near Hiren Bar in Kinnimulky and interrogated him. Based on his voluntary statement, the police recovered the stolen gold ornaments from a house in Ajjarkadu.

A total of 548.31 grams of gold worth ₹65.79 lakh was seized, and further legal action has been initiated against the accused.

Police confirmed that Sukesh Naik is a habitual offender. He has been involved in 11 previous house theft cases across Udupi district. He faced five cases in Udupi Town Police Station, of which he was convicted in four. He was convicted in one of three cases registered at Hiriyadka Police Station. Two cases are pending at Brahmavar Police Station and one case at Manipal Police Station.