Udupi-Manipal: 25 thefts in 9 months pose tough challenge police efforts

The Udupi-Manipal area has witnessed a spate of thefts in 2024, with 25 theft cases reported by the end of September. The incidents involve a variety of theft types, including shop break-ins, home burglaries, apartment thefts, and gold chain snatchings. Despite these frequent crimes, the police have only managed to solve three or four cases, posing a significant challenge to local law enforcement.

A recent theft near Udupi town police station late Sunday night has left residents alarmed. Earlier, CCTV footage captured a group of masked individuals attempting to rob a Brahmagiri apartment, but no leads have emerged since. The situation has deteriorated to the point where even empty apartments and isolated homes are no longer safe.

Shops and Temples Targeted

On August 7, Rs 6 lakh worth of equipment was stolen from a farm machinery store near Karavali Bypass. Three days later, Rs 35,000 was looted from a milk shop. The burglars didn’t spare religious places either, with Rs 50,000 stolen from the sanctum of a temple in Bailoor village, though the suspect was later arrested.

Thefts During Vacations

On May 9, a house in Bailoor was robbed of Rs 1.74 lakh worth of gold and Rs 3,000 in cash while the owners were on vacation. Similarly, laptops worth lakhs were stolen from an apartment in Manipal housing out-of-state students, though arrests have been made in this case.

Chain snatching is also on the rise, as witnessed on August 5, when 84-year-old Shanta Kamath’s 20-gram gold chain was snatched while she was walking along Hayagrivanagar.

Attempted ATM Heists

There have been multiple attempts to rob ATMs and banks as well. On June 26, thieves tried to break into an ATM in Santhekatte, and a bank check was stolen in June.

Empty Homes: A Prime Target

Empty houses seem to be a favorite target for thieves. On July 12, thieves broke into a house in Kakkunje and made off with 16 grams of gold. In another incident on May 19, burglars stole Rs 23,000 and 5 grams of gold from a home in Budnaru.

Police Measures

According to Udupi Superintendent of Police Dr. K. Arun, the police have formed special teams to investigate the various thefts and burglaries in the area. Despite their efforts, with many thieves remaining at large, the situation continues to challenge law enforcement in the region. The police are now focusing on several strategies to curb these crimes, including reinstating beat systems, installing more CCTV cameras, and gathering information on migrants in the area.