Mangaluru: Notorious inter-state vehicle thief from Kerala arrested; pickup truck and bike recovered

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 8, 2025: The Suratkal Police have arrested a notorious inter-state vehicle thief from Kerala and recovered a stolen pickup truck and motorbike.

The accused has been identified as Hamza Kuppikanda @ Hamsa @ Hamza Ponnan (29), a resident of Kerala.

On September 30, 2025, around 9:00 p.m., a pickup truck parked in the premises of Sukumar’s house in Kulai under Suratkal Police Station limits was stolen. A case was registered at the station.

During the investigation, on October 7, 2025, police detained a youth found moving suspiciously on a bike. On questioning, he failed to produce valid documents for the vehicle. Further inquiry revealed that the bike had been stolen from near Forum Mall under the Mangaluru South Police Station limits.

Upon interrogation, the accused admitted to stealing the pickup truck as well. Police subsequently recovered both vehicles, estimated to be worth around ₹3.1 lakh.

Investigation revealed that Hamza Kuppikanda is a notorious thief involved in around 17 theft cases — including mobile and vehicle thefts — registered in various districts across Kerala.

He has been produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody.