Shivamogga Police have arrested four people on charges of robbing an old woman of valuables worth over ₹18 lakh at Lakkunda village near Agumbe in Tirthahalli taluk.

The arrested are Bharath Y. (25) of Hosur in Bhadravathi taluk, Ashok (28) of Javalli near Shivamogga, Mohammed Ibrahim Meera (24) of Veerapura in Bhadravathi taluk, and Parthip (25) of Melina Kuruvalli in Tirthahalli taluk. The police recovered valuables worth ₹11.96 lakh, including 70 grams of gold jewellery and vehicles used in the crime, from them.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of April 21, when the victim, Vishalakshi (74), was alone at her home. The accused forced their way in, gagged her with a cloth, bound her hands, and fled with 146 grams of gold jewellery and ₹51,000 in cash. The lady had been staying alone in the house since her husband passed away some years ago. The couple had no children. Agumbe Police registered the case and conducted the investigation. Senior police officers, including Shivamogga SP Nikhil B., visited the spot.

A press release issued on Friday, stated that the police team that acted as per the guidance of SP Nikhil B. and Additional SP A.G. Cariappa succeeded in cracking the case and arresting the accused. The team led by DySP Aravaind Kalagujji, included police inspectors L. Rajashekhar, Imran Baig, PSIs Shivana Gowda and Sunil, besides the staff members, the release added.