Police arrest 13 for multiple thefts across temples in Markapuram district

The Markapuram district police have arrested 13 persons in connection with multiple thefts reported across temples in the district and have recovered stolen property worth ₹22.7 lakh from them.The accused have been identified as Indla Vishnuvardhan (28), Thammisetti Ramanaiah (50), Mallala Chenchu Subba Rao (39), S. Umamaheswara Rao (41), Kommi Katamraju (41), Bathula Seenu (50), Pinni Rajeev (22), Kamma Suryateja (43), Moka Anjaneyulu (42), Derangula Venkataramana (50), Bandaru Tirupathaiah (45), Dudekula Nagoor Sharif (41) and Chandaluri Balaguravaiah (42). According to the police, the accused were arrested for the thefts reported from C.S. Puram, Pamuru, Kanigiri and Konakarametla mandals in the district.Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Superintendent of Police (SP) V. Harshavardhan Raju said that the 13 were reportedly working as masons and construction workers at various locations and came together through mutual contacts.Umamaheswara Rao, who was working in a temple, joined hands with Vishnuvardhan, a watchman, and his accomplice Subba Rao, to allegedly steal from temples and sell the stolen property for a hefty price to Balaguravaiah, who acted as the receiver of the stolen goods.Meanwhile, the Markapuram police led by Mr. Harshavardhan Raju formed special teams, gathered tip-offs from local informers and verified technical data to nab the accused when they reached Sivalayam on the outskirts of Raviguntapalli in Pamuru mandal. The police seized ‘Panchaloha’ and brass idols, armours and silverware from them, in addition to two SUVs and two motorcycles that were used for the operations.The SP urged the temple management committees to arrange CCTV cameras as their first line of defence against thieves targeting temple jewellery and idols. Published - September 08, 2026 08:10 pm IST