Inter-State temple theft gang held

A gang of inter-State property offenders from Andhra Pradesh, involved in a string of temple thefts and shutter-lifting offences across Hyderabad and Rachakonda, was arrested by the Commissioner’s Task Force, South-East Zone team, along with IS Sadan police.

Santosh Nagar Division ACP Sukdev Singh said that five accused and one juvenile were nabbed on Sunday within three days of the offences. The arrests led to the detection of 12 cases, including four temple thefts, six shutter-lifting incidents, and two motorcycle thefts. Officers recovered ₹17,104 in cash, two stolen two-wheelers, four mobile phones, and tools used in the break-ins, with total property worth nearly ₹4 lakh recovered.

The accused were identified as Juvvala Tharun Kumar Raju, 21, a mason, Dagarapu Ellyaajaru, 22, a labourer, Maruboyina Mavullu, 19, a poultry worker, Gandreddy Lokesh, 19, a barber, and Konala Rajji, 18, a home-maker, all from Bhimavaram in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. A juvenile from the same area was also involved.

“Tharun Kumar Raju, a known offender with 41 previous cases, was arrested in May 2025 by P-Gannavaram police and later released on bail in October. Soon after, he regrouped with the others and decided to target temples and shops in Hyderabad, believing they would draw less attention than crimes in their hometown,” said the officer.

The gang first stole a motorcycle in Nandigama before reaching Hyderabad, where they took shelter in Kammaguda, Nadargul. Over the next two nights, between November 4 and 6, they committed multiple burglaries, including thefts at temples in LB Nagar and Saidabad, and a series of shop break-ins under the limits of IS Sadan, Saroornagar, Begum Bazaar, and Sultan Bazaar police stations.

After the crimes, the group returned to Bhimavaram but came back to Hyderabad on November 7 intending to continue their thefts. They were arrested on November 9 near Champapet during vehicle-checks following a tip-off.

Upon interrogation, the accused confessed to the offences, and stolen property was recovered from their possession. They have been remanded to judicial custody.