Shivamogga: Valuables worth over Rs 1.3 crore have been recovered from a thief who is said to have been involved in 99 robbery cases in Shivamogga and Davangere districts for the past three years.

Manjappa alias Halu Manja hailing from Hosahalli in Channagiri taluk of Davangere district was arrested this month by the Shivamogga police. Gold weighing 4.133 kg worth Rs 1.3 crore and silver articles weighing 4 kg worth Rs 1.61 lakh has been recovered from him.

SP Ravi D. Channannavar said that during interrogation, the accused admitted to have committed a series of thefts since 2012. There are other accused also who are involved along with him in these cases.

On October 31, Manjappa had drilled a hole on the terrace of Padma Jewellers on Durgigudi Main Road and made away with ornaments worth Rs 2.48 lakh. A special team of police was then formed to solve the jewellery shop case and Manjappa’s arrest led to solving nearly a hundred cases, the SP said.

The team of 21 policemen was led by Additional Superintendent of Police Vishnuvardhan, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ram L. Arasiddi and CPI K.T. Gururaj. The SP announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh to the team.