Mangaluru: In a significant operation, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) apprehended a notorious house-breaking suspect at Mangaluru Central Railway Station on Thursday. The arrest was made during a special surveillance drive, leading to the recovery of stolen gold ornaments valued at over Rs 13 lakh.
Details of the Arrest
The accused, identified as Ashif PH, a 25-year-old resident of Hosdurg in Kasaragod district, Kerala, was intercepted while he was moving suspiciously on platforms 2 and 3 of the station. His behavior raised the suspicion of the RPF personnel who were conducting a confidential surveillance operation targeting offenders involved in the Theft of Passenger Belongings (ToPB) in and around the station.
Recovery of Stolen Property
Upon searching his shoulder bag, the RPF team discovered a pouch containing gold ornaments suspected to be stolen. During interrogation, Ashif reportedly confessed that the jewellery had been stolen from a house in Thrissur. Subsequent verification confirmed that the ornaments were linked to a house-breaking and theft case registered at the Pavaratti police station in Thrissur.
The recovered valuables included four bangles, three necklaces, four rings, a chain, a bracelet, and studs. The total weight of the gold ornaments was 93.5 grams, with an estimated collective value of around Rs 13 lakh.
RPF Team and Investigation
The operation was carried out by a team of RPF personnel comprising Manoj Kumar Yadav, Saju K, K Devarajan, K Rajan, Radhakrishnan, and C Abbas. They were part of a special surveillance initiative to curb theft of passenger belongings and other criminal activities at the station and its vicinity.
Further investigations revealed that Ashif is a proclaimed offender with a criminal record involving multiple theft and house-breaking cases. He is wanted in at least 12 cases registered across various police stations from Ernakulam to Kasaragod. Several non-bailable warrants are pending against him.
Handover to Police
After coordinating with the Pavaratti police, a team from Thrissur arrived in Mangaluru in the early hours of Friday. The accused, along with the recovered gold ornaments, was formally handed over to the police team for further legal proceedings. This successful operation underscores the RPF's commitment to ensuring the safety and security of passengers and their belongings at railway stations.
