Kochi: The Kochi City police, Alappuzha police, and Fire and Rescue Services, managed to capture a person suspected to be part of the ‘Kuruva thieves’ gang, in a joint operation, following a four-hour long tense manhunt on Saturday.

Santhosh, a 38-year-old from Tamil Nadu, escaped police custody while under investigation for a series of thefts. He had been arrested alongside other suspects by a team from Mannancherry police in a marshy area near the Kundannoor flyover. However, the arrest took an unexpected turn when women associated with the gang intervened, attempting to block the police. Taking advantage of the small police team, the women managed to free Santhosh, who pushed past the officers and fled into nearby bushes, still handcuffed. Despite his escape, the police detained the other two suspects and transferred them to the Maradu station.

Response to Santhosh’s escape

In response to Santhosh’s dramatic escape, a large-scale manhunt was immediately launched. Police suspected that Santhosh had attempted to flee by jumping into the backwaters. A team from Kochi Police, Fire and Rescue Services, with the assistance of scuba divers, conducted an extensive search of the area. During search, a torchlight beam showed the suspect hiding at the edge of the marshy area. Santhosh, attempting to flee further, ran directly into waiting police officers and was captured again.

The police took several individuals into custody for allegedly aiding Santhosh’s escape by attacking officers during the incident.

Link to broader theft probe

The Ernakulam Rural police formed a special investigation team following a series of break-ins in the North Paravur and Vadakkekara areas. In response, both Kochi City and Ernakulam Rural police increased security measures, including enhanced night patrols and public safety protocols. The police suspect a link between the recent thefts in Ernakulam Rural and a series of robberies in northern Alappuzha, where a masked gang has been active for the past two weeks. Nearly ten thefts have occurred, with the involvement of the suspected 'Kuruva gang'.