Thiruvananthapuram, September 23, 2013: A 26-year-old man, an accused in several temple theft cases, was arrested by the Thampanoor police while he was about to break into the Gandhari Amman Kovil near Pulimoodu in the city.

Thampanoor Circle Inspector Sheen Tharayil said that Gopu, a resident of Pazhakutti in Nedumangad, had been released from jail on September 7 after serving a sentence in connection with a theft case. He is an accused in cases registered in connection with thefts at the Mannanthala Ananda Valleeswaram temple, the Anayara Valiya Udayeswaram temple, and the Pettah Kallummoodu temple, apart from burgling of a shop in the Narmada Complex at Kowdiar and a medical shop at Pattom.

The accused had, in his possession, a hacksaw blade, a sword, and an iron rod at the time of the arrest by a night patrol team here, Mr. Tharayil said, adding that Gopu was produced before the court and remanded in judicial custody.

Source: The Hindu, September 23, 2013