BHATKAL: Bhatkal Town police have arrested a 32-year-old man in connection with the theft of a Tempo Traveller parked beside National Highway 66 at Mankuli in September. The stolen vehicle was allegedly taken to Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh, according to the investigation.

The accused has been identified as Sahil, a resident of the area under Doddapete police station limits in Shivamogga. He was produced before a court, which remanded him to police custody for further investigation.

The case was registered following a complaint by Krishna Anant Naik, a resident of Neeragadde in Mundalli.

Police said Sahil was allegedly involved in vehicle thefts, including motorcycles, cars and Tempo Traveller vehicles. As many as 12 theft cases have been registered against him in various places, including Ramanagara, Bengaluru and Shivamogga.

Investigators found that the accused allegedly drove the stolen vehicle from Bhatkal via Kollur to Ayanur near Shivamogga, where he changed its number plate. He then travelled via Chitradurga to Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh.

The identity of the person who may have purchased the vehicle in Anantapur has not yet been established. Police are continuing their efforts to recover the vehicle and identify others involved in the theft.