Police bust long-running branded shoe theft

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Vidyaranyapura police have apprehended two criminals involved in a seven-year spree of stealing branded shoes from apartments and temples.

The duo, identified as Gangadhar and Yallappa, are said to have stolen over 10,000 pairs of shoes during their crime wave. Upon their arrest, a police raid on their residence uncovered approximately 715 pairs of branded shoes, along with other valuable items worth around 10 lakh.

Gangadhar and Yallappa had established a sophisticated operation, selling the stolen shoes in tourist destinations like Ooty and Puducherry, as well as in local Sunday bazaars.

Their modus operandi involved night-time thefts, where they used autorickshaws to target houses and temples. After stealing the shoes, they meticulously cleaned them and sold them at significantly reduced prices.

The case broke open following a theft in BEL Layout, Vidyaranyapura, where a homeowner reported the theft of a pair of shoes and two gas cylinders. The police swiftly responded, reviewing CCTV footage from the area and identifying the vehicle used in the theft.

This crucial lead enabled them to trace and arrest the accused.