The Parappana Agrahara police have arrested two bike thieves and seized antique idols they stole from a prayer hall in Tamil Nadu.
The police nabbed Arun (25), a resident of Electronics City, and Shakir (23) from Vellore in Tamil Nadu as they tried selling the idols, weighing 150 kilos. The police also recovered 11 motorcycles that Arun and Shakir had stolen in the city. They estimate the value of properties recovered from the thieves to be Rs 30 lakh.
The police said Arun is a native of Dharmapuri, who settled with his parents in Gollahalli at Hosur Road five years ago. Described as a habitual bike thief, Arun walked out on bail after being arrested several times, and continued stealing.
Recently, Arun met Shakir through a common friend, who suggested that they steal antique idols at a prayer hall in Sathambakkam village in Vellore.
The police said the accused broke into the hall and stole the idols of Venugopala Swamy, Ganesha and Krishna. Villagers had filed a complaint about the theft with the jurisdictional police.
While probing a bike theft case, the Parappana Agrahara police identified Arun and Shakir, and recovered the stolen items.