Flex boards hail Idukki cops for arresting suspects in theft spree

Idukki: Vannappuram has been grappling with a series of thefts over the past few months, with the Kaliyar police facing criticism for failing to catch the culprits. A flex board mocking the police for inaction was even erected in the town by the Youth League. However, on Tuesday morning, three men were arrested at the Ambalappady bus stand, prompting a turnaround in public sentiment. The old flex board mocking the police was replaced with congratulatory ones at two locations. But there is no clue as to who put them up. 

From the arrested trio, police recovered items suspected to have been used in thefts, including an iron rod and chilli powder. The men, who have previous theft cases against them, were remanded in custody. The celebratory flex boards appeared shortly after their arrest.

The arrests followed a series of incidents, including the burglary of eleven sovereigns of gold ornaments and a diamond from Vannappuram, the snatching of a three-sovereign gold chain from a housewife, and the theft of a pair of anklets from a woman in Thommankuthu. 

Police said only custodial interrogation will confirm whether the arrested men were behind the Vannappuram thefts.