Man who stole idols from temple arrested

Borivli police on Monday arrested a 42-year-old history sheeter four days after he stole idols and ornaments worth Rs7.5 lakh from a temple in Ratnagiri. According to the police, the accused, Udhay Kolte, has over 35 cases of theft registered against him with the Ratnagiri police.

Narayan Khaire, senior PI, said, "The accused had come to the city to sell the booty in a jewellery store in Borivli. We received information and caught him from Factory Lane in the area."

Kolte had stolen 9.5kg of silver and 138 grams of gold which included idols, jewellery and coins from Gamdevi temple in Ratnagiri.

"He arrived in Mumbai and was on his way to a jewellery store to sell the booty when we caught him," the officer added.

Meanwhile, Ratnagiri police had launched a manhunt to nab him. "We informed the police there and took him into custody. He will be handed over to Ratnagiri police," added Khaire.

Further investigations revealed that he had 35 cases registered against him. The stolen booty has been recovered from the accused.