Puttur: Two from Mandya gang arrested red-handed while stealing diesel from tanker

Mangalore Today News Network

Puttur, Sep 4, 2026: Uppinangady police arrested two members of an alleged inter-district gang red-handed while they were stealing diesel from a tanker parked along National Highway 75 near Alampadi Cross in Kaukrady village under Uppinangady police station limits.

The arrested have been identified as Jaimutha, 23, and Muthu, 28, both from Thoppanahalli village in Maddur taluk of Mandya district. Their accomplice, Mahadeva T K, 27, from the same village, managed to escape during the operation.

Police had intensified night patrols in the area following a series of diesel thefts from vehicles parked along the highway within Uppinangady police limits in recent days.

On Wednesday night, the patrol team noticed a Bolero pickup vehicle parked suspiciously near a tanker at Alampadi Cross. When the police approached the vehicle, three persons allegedly fled from the spot. The police chased them and managed to apprehend two.

During questioning, the accused allegedly confessed that they had arrived at the spot to steal diesel and admitted to carrying out similar thefts repeatedly in the past.

Police seized 40 plastic cans, each with a capacity of 35 litres, from the accused. One of the cans contained 20 litres of allegedly stolen diesel. A rubber pipe reportedly used to siphon fuel, a tarpaulin and the Bolero pickup vehicle were also seized.

The arrest of the alleged inter-district gang from Mandya has come as a relief to vehicle operators travelling along the highway, who had been affected by the repeated thefts.

Uppinangady Police Sub-Inspector Sutesh said a case has been registered at Uppinangady police station and further investigation is underway.