Mangaluru: The police have arrested five people in connection with robbery in Kateel Shree Durgaparameshwari temple priest Vasudev Asranna’s house.

Addressing the media personnel Commissioner Chandra Sekhar on Monday at his office, said that Sudhindra Rao (33) of Bejai, Chidananda (33) of Thenka Yekkur, Suraj Kumar (35) of Yekkur, Sadashiva Shetty (49) of Thenka and Suresh Kumar (40) of Moodambail, Bantwal are the arrested persons.

“Many teams have been formed for the quick investigation. CCB police team led by Inspector Sunil Nayak and Bajpe Inspector T D Nagaraj on Monday arrested the culprits at Thenka Yekkur and seized a car,” he said.

He further said that the police have recovered Rs 4.25 lakh cash and a gold pendant. Accused have sold the gold ornaments. Police have also seized five mobile phones which were used for the crime.

“Mastermind of the robbery is Sudindra Rao. He is real estate businessman by profession and also owns a car. His relative Suresh Kumar is the PRO of the temple and he collected all the necessary information regarding Asranna’s house. Others helped Sudindra Rao to execute the robbery plan,” he added.

“Four to five accused are yet to be arrested and they will be arrested soon,” he said after congratulating the police team for nabbing the accused soon.

DCP’s Dr Sanjeev Patil, Shantharaju and others were present.