The Dharmavaram police have dismantled a three-member gang involved in seven temple theft cases, recovering silver and brass articles worth over ₹20 lakh.

  • Three-member gang arrested in Sri Sathya Sai district.
  • Recovery of stolen property worth ₹20.35 lakh, including 6.75 kg of silver.
  • Seven criminal cases solved with the seizure of three vehicles and tools.

In a major breakthrough, the Dharmavaram police on Wednesday apprehended a three-member gang responsible for a series of daring thefts across temples in the Sri Sathya Sai district. The operation led to the resolution of seven separate theft cases that had caused significant alarm among the local community.

Superintendent of Police (SP) S. Satish Kumar revealed that the accused—Silla Nagaraju (50), Chintakayala Naveen Kumar (25), and Silla Shiva (18)—were tracked down and arrested near the SLV Rice Mill at Kamireddypalli cross in Kunuturu. The arrests followed the formation of a specialized police task force created to address the surge in public complaints regarding temple burglaries.

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Detailed Recovery and Seizures

The police have recovered stolen assets totaling ₹20.35 lakh. This haul includes 6.75 kg of silver articles valued at ₹18.9 lakh and 40 kg of brass items. Additionally, the police seized a drum, amplifiers, a metal cutter used for breaking locks, and three vehicles utilized by the gang to execute their crimes and escape.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the targeting of temples in Dharmavaram Rural, Bathalapalli, and Kanaganapalli indicates a strategic pattern of exploiting low-security rural shrines. The involvement of a wide age range (18 to 50) suggests a structured gang where experience and agility were combined to evade detection.

"The recurring nature of temple thefts highlights a systemic failure in rural heritage protection, necessitating a shift toward tech-enabled surveillance."

Following the arrests, SP Satish Kumar issued a stern advisory to temple administrators and the general public. He emphasized the urgent need to secure all valuables in reinforced vaults and install high-definition CCTV cameras to act as a deterrent against future criminal activities.

Did You Know?: Temple thefts in India often feed into a larger illicit trade of antiquities, where sacred idols are smuggled across borders to private collectors worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who were the suspects arrested in the case?
The suspects are Silla Nagaraju (50), Chintakayala Naveen Kumar (25), and Silla Shiva (18).

2. What was the total value of the recovered items?
The police recovered property worth ₹20.35 lakh, predominantly consisting of silver and brass.