Madikeri: A masked miscreant, who had created tension since about two months in Kutta Police limits, South Kodagu, and had posed a challenge to the Police, was finally nabbed near Ponnampet.

The accused has been identified as 30-year-old Vineshkumar, a native of Siddapur and following his arrest, the Police have solved two extortion, damage of temple idol and temple hundi robbery cases in Kutta Police limits and also another temple hundi theft case in Somwarpet Police limits.

A few days ago, the accused who had barged into the house of former President of Ponnampet Kodava Samaja Sullimada Gopal Thimmaiah at Nalkeri village near Srimangala in South Kodagu, had assaulted Gopal with a knife before fleeing from the spot. He had also snatched gold earrings of one Gangamma in Kotur village. 

Accused Vineshkumar had also damaged the idol of Lord Ganesha at a temple in Kotur village and had also stolen hundis of Mahadeshwara Temple in the same village and at Aiyappa Swamy Temple in Bajegundi village in Somwarpet. The accused used to wear mask and threaten people with knife thus causing tension among the public.

Four special Police teams led by Kutta Inspector C.A. Manjappa and Gonikoppa Inspector Sridhar were formed and the public were also appealed to inform the nearby Police Station if they come across any suspicious persons.

The Police teams had also conducted search operations at Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mandya, Manandawadi, Hassan and other places and were successful in nabbing the accused near Ponnampet.