Bengaluru: The Parappana Agrahara police have arrested two robbers and have recovered 150-year-old panchaloha statues and nine bikes, totally worth Rs 30 lakh. The accused have been identified as Arun, 25, a resident of Electronics City and Shakir, 23, a resident of Velur in Tamil Nadu.
Arun hails from Dharmapuri and had come to the city and five years ago settled with his parents in Gollahalli on Hosur Road. He is a habitual offender, involved in bike theft and jailed several times.
According to the police, he recently met Shakir from Velur through a common friend, who suggested him to steal idols from a prayer hall in Sathambakam village in Velur. As per the plan, they broke into the prayer hall and stole idols of Venugopala Swamy, Ganesha and Krishna.
The police said that the two resorted to thefts to earn quick money and lead a lavish life. The police have seized three statues weighing 250 kg and worth Rs 15 lakh. Following numerous bike thefts in the area, the Parappana Agrahara police were on lookout for them.
The police have recovered two scooters, two Royal Enfield, one KTM and four Bajaj Pulsar bikes.
With this arrest the police were able to solve 11 cases, nine in the city and three in Tamil Nadu.
