Dharwad: A group of daring residents in Dharwad’s Kelageri area turned the tables on a gang of housebreakers in the early hours of Sunday, chasing them down and handing two of the culprits over to the police.
The drama unfolded when six miscreants attempted to break into a house under the cover of darkness. One alert resident noticed suspicious movements and immediately raised an alarm. His shouts rang through the otherwise quiet street, waking neighbors who poured out of their homes.
What followed resembled a midnight manhunt — residents armed with courage and sticks gave chase as the burglars tried to flee. After a tense pursuit, the mob managed to overpower two members of the gang, while four others escaped. The accused were quickly tied up and handed over to the Hoysala police patrol team, who arrived within minutes.
Sub-Urban Police Inspector Dayanand Shegunsi confirmed that the duo are habitual offenders belonging to an inter-district gang. “We are tracking the remaining accused and expect to nab them soon,” he said, adding that the residents’ swift action prevented what could have been a major burglary.
