The Yelahanka police on Thursday arrested two habitual offenders for allegedly stealing the service pistol of a constable who had collapsed on the road. Constable Narasimhamurthy, who was attached with the Central Armed Reserves (CAR) and posted as gunman to Devanahalli MLA Pilla Muniswamappa, had reported the theft of his weapon in February.
The Northeast division police recovered the pistol as well as 16 mobile phones from Dhanush Thimmappagowda alias Dhanu (20) and Vijay Subash alias Anjaneya (21). “The two men are habitual offenders and are named in multiple cases in Mangaluru,” said a police officer. “They came to Bengaluru on February 23 with the sole purpose of committing crimes and had rented a room in a lodge in Yeshwantpur.”
On February 24, they were scouting a neighbourhood in Yelahanka when they saw Narasimhamurthy collapse by the roadside near M.S. Palya. According to the police, they mistook him for a private security guard as he was in plainclothes.
"There were many political developments that day. The gunman was tired after long hours of duty. He fell unconscious near M.S. Palya in Yeshwantpur," said Praveen Sood, Police Commissioner. "Seeing this, the duo stole his 9mm service pistol," he added.
When Narasimhamurthy lodged a complaint in Yelahanka New Town police station, he could not remember exactly when his weapon went missing.
The police got a break when one of the thieves sold the mobile phone of Narasimhamurthy to a dealer in Mangaluru. A team traced the thief.
“No offence was committed using the stolen police weapon. The police team will get a reward of ₹25,000 for a job well done," Mr. Sood, said.
