Posing as Cops, Gang Loots Gold Ornaments in Private Bus — Three Arrested  

Hospet (Vijayanagara): In a dramatic case of loot, Harapanahalli police arrested three individuals, including a private bus driver and conductor, who conspired to steal gold ornaments worth ₹61.25 lakh by posing as police officers. The gold, weighing 806 grams, was seized during the operation.

Briefing the media on Wednesday, District Superintendent of Police Sriharibabu B.L. said the incident occurred around midnight on March 16. A gang attempted to loot a parcel of gold ornaments being transported from Davanagere to Vijayapura in a private bus.

The next morning, one of the four senders of the gold parcel filed a police complaint. Acting swiftly, the police nabbed the accused within 24 hours.

The crime took place in a Durgamba bus, which operates daily between Shivamogga and Vijayapura. The arrested accused have been identified as Manjunath (39), the bus driver from Holehonnur in Bhadravati Taluk; Krishna Lakkappa Lamani (26), the bus conductor from Gutthala Tanda in Haveri district; and Nityananda (33) from Kerekatte village in Channagiri Taluk, who impersonated a police officer during the heist.

Police also seized three mobile phones and a car used in the crime.

Gold Found at Driver’s Residence

During the investigation, police recovered two of the gold parcels from the driver’s house in Holehonnur and one parcel from Gutthala. Sources revealed that the accused were caught before they could open the parcels or proceed with their plan.

Further investigation is underway.