Inter-state burglary gang arrested

KAZHAKKOOTTAM: Kazhakkoottam Police have busted an inter- state burglary gang and arrested three people, all history sheeters, when they were trying to rob a temple near Kazhakkoottam. Manian Pillai, 62, of Eravipuram, Shibu, 22, of Station Kadavu and Santhosh Kumar, 20, of Poundakadavu were arrested by Kazhakkoottam Police in the wee hours of Friday from near Thripadapuram Theepetty Temple where the trio along with two other people from Kazhakkoottam were attempting to loot the temple.Though the police managed to capture three of them, the other two made their escape. According to police, the three are involved in several cases of theft and assault.Among the arrested, Manian is a notorious robber who has close contacts with burglary gangs operating from outside the state. He has been on the run for quite some time now after investigators intensified their search for him.Shibu and Santhosh Kumar are also involved in a couple of theft and burglary cases and had sought help from several other robbers operating from Kazhakkoottam. Lock breaking tools and other sharp wedged weapons were recovered from the arrested.The three were later remanded.