Madikeri: In a major breakthrough, the District Crime Branch sleuths cracked eight theft cases, recovered the stolen property worth Rs 27.43 lacs and also nabbed eight persons in connection to these cases.
Superintendent of Police Rajendra Prasad, addressing the news persons said that the  DCIB sleuths stopped an autorickshaw at Koppa gate near Kushalnagar on July 26 and found few equipment used for stealing. Police detained Harish and Sonu but the other three fled the scene.  During interrogation the arrested duo confessed that they are 8 members team and had executed theft at many places in the district. The police recovered Rs 8.8 lakh worth pepper stolen from Gonikoppa, pepper worth Rs 5.60 lac stolen from Ponnampet, seized a TVS apache bike, TVS bike, Karizma bike, maxima van, a laptop, silver worth Rs one lac and various other valuables.

The police later on managed to arrested Rajesh, Ramesh, Cariappa, Shivu, Ganesha, and Ravi. With two more members of the gang remaining at large, special team has been formed to search for them.

The SP also announced a cash prize of Rs 20,000 to constable Lokesh and home guards Prasanna and Santhosh who checked auto on suspicious.