Accused held 5 years after temple theft

Nearly five years after stealing the idol at the Eriyal Kuruvayal temple, near here, the police arrested the prime accused. The arrest of Jonavas alias Asees, 29, by a police team led by Kasaragod circle inspector P.K. Sudhakaran, came after the youth was nabbed in a pick-pocketing case at Pandeshwar in Mangaluru recently. During interrogation by the Mangaluru police, Asees confessed to have looted the temple on April 13, 2010. Three thieves involved in the temple burglary had been arrested by the police.