A gang of inter-state property offenders from Andhra Pradesh, involved in a series of temple thefts and shutter-lifting crimes in Hyderabad and Rachakonda, has been arrested by the South East Zone Commissioner Task Force team along with the IS Sadan police.
Santosh Nagar Division ACP Sukdev Singh said five accused and one juvenile were nabbed within three days of committing the crime on Sunday. The arrests led to the revelation of 12 cases, including four temple thefts, six shutter-lifting incidents and two motorcycle thefts. Cops recovered ₹17,104 in cash, two stolen two-wheelers, four mobile phones and tools used in the burglary, while a total property worth nearly ₹4,000 was recovered.
The accused have been identified as Juvvala Tharun Kumar Raju, 21, a mason, Dagarapu Ellyaajaru, 22, a labourer, Maruboyina Mavullu, 19, a poultry worker, Gandreddy Lokesh, 19, a barber, and Konala Rajji, 18, a domestic of Bhraram Godrish, all from Bhraram Godrish. A juvenile from the same area was also involved.
“Tharun Kumar Raju, a known offender with 41 previous cases, was arrested in May 2025 by the P-Gannavaram police and later released on bail in October. Soon after, he regrouped with others and decided to target temples and shops in Hyderabad, believing that they would attract less attention than crimes in their hometown,” the officer said.
The gang first stole a motorcycle in Nandigama before reaching Hyderabad where they took refuge in Kammaguda, Nadargul. Over the next two nights, between November 4 and 6, they committed several burglaries, including thefts at temples in LB Nagar and Saidabad, and a series of burglaries at shops under IS Sadan, Saroornagar, Begum Bazaar and Sultan Bazaar police station limits.
After the crimes, the group returned to Bhimavaram but returned to Hyderabad on 7 November with the intention of continuing their thefts. They were arrested on November 9 near Champapet during tip-off vehicle checks.
During interrogation, the accused confessed to the crimes and stolen property was recovered from their possession. They were taken into judicial custody.
Published – 10 Nov 2025 20:55 IST
