Chhatrapur: Use of Google Maps in identifying temples to carry out theft has come to light with the arrest of two members of an interstate robbers’ gang over the stealing of valuables from a Shirdi Sai temple in Ganjam district, police said.
The accused were identified as Oniya Antaram of Gujarat and Uttam Singh of Rajasthan. Police arrested them and seized 6.964 kg of silver items from their possession. The accused reportedly uses Google Maps to identify temples and assess the surroundings before carrying out thefts.
The accused persons were involved in the recent theft at the Shirdi Sai Baba temple in Mandiapalli under Chamakhandi police limits in Ganjam district.
Police recovered stolen items including silver padukas, a throne and other articles weighing 6.964 kg, a copper-based Sai Baba idol, and a mobile phone from the accused persons. According to police, four members of the gang had initially attempted a theft at the temple March 19 but were unsuccessful. They later travelled to Puri and visited Lord Jagannath temple.
After returning, they successfully carried out the theft at the Mandiapalli temple on the night of March 21. This was stated here at a press conference addressed by SDPO Chandan Kumar Ghadai and IIC Shraddhanjali Subuddhi Saturday.
Following a complaint filed by temple committee member Baijayanti Mishra March 22, Chamakhandi police registered a case (102/26) and launched an investigation. Based on CCTV footage and local intelligence, the team apprehended the two accused at Brahmapur railway station.
Two other members of the gang remain absconding, police officials said.