Kushalnagar: Four persons have been arrested in connection with a daylight robbery in Hosapatna, disclosed Kodagu SP Dr Rajendra Prasad here on November 25.

The arrested are Abdul Rehman (24) from Uppinangady, Mohammed Alif (28) from Ullal, who is wanted in 19 theft and murder cases, Mohammed Fayaz (28) from Thokkottu who is wanted in 13 murder and theft cases and Jafar Sadiq(25) from Mangaluru who is wanted in extortion cases.

The SP during the press meet said that during questioning it was revealed that another accused Nizam who is absconding had arranged for a car from one Ali and then drove to Madikeri along with Majeed, Saliyath and Jalal. They stayed at a lodge in Kushalnagar. The gang met auto driver Krishna and plotted the robbery.

With the help of Krishna, they left to Hosapatna in a different car, changed the number plate on the way and as per the plan, some of the accused waited in a coffee estate until the door of the house belonging to Shivakumar was broken open. Alif and Jalal went inside wearing monkey caps, attacked Vishwanath and his brother Shivakumar before tying them up.

Shivakumar’s friend Eshwar was also attacked by the gang. The robbers escaped with Rs.40 lakh worth,diamond, gold, silver jewelry and a revolver.

The police on getting information immediately launched a manhunt and finally arrested four out of the nine accused with the help of canine squad and anti-naxal unit. The police have recovered Rs 42,700 cash, four gold rings, two gold chains, one necklace and other valuables.

DySP Sampath Kumar, CI Kyathe Gowda, SI Mahesh and other staff carried out the operation.