In an event reminiscent of a high-octane action movie, the Tumakuru district of Karnataka put on the scene a dramatic high-speed chase and a midnight forest manhunt on Monday. The case, which featured local citizens and law enforcement, culminated in an arrest of four daring robbers who attacked and robbed Jagadamba Jewelry Store in the vicinity of Benchegate, Kallambella, Sira Taluk.
The Pursuit for the 15-Kilometer Highway
These four thugs first assaulted the jewelry shop on the afternoon of February 22, 2026, taking away with them a significant haul of gold ornaments and leaving the shop. They tried taking to run away in their Bolero vehicle and headed for the National Highway. They had taken their own personal initiative with them.
It was also their intention that they should ignore the courage showed by the members of the community. After recognizing a robbery, some residents jumped back into their cars and pursued them ceaselessly. They followed the robbers on a 15-kilometer stretch of the National Highway for almost 10 minutes.
As they neared Tavarekere, locals in the area stayed in constant contact with police, giving real time information on the whereabouts and speed of the escape vehicle.
Highway Lockdown and a TIGHT Escape
After hearing the tip, the Tumakuru police acted with surgical precision. Officers also ordered a temporary shutdown of the National Highway at Tavarekere to ensure the criminals wouldn’t break any district lines. Big barricades were put up — essentially creating a bottleneck. When the robbers saw the police presence ahead, they made a desperate and dangerous U-turn in the middle of the highway. The suspects made their way past the initial encirclement in the midst of a traffic jam, avoiding capture for the moment. Knowing they were unable to access the main roads anymore, they gave up their car and took off on foot into the thick Huyiludore forest.
Midnight Combing Operation and Forest Arrests
The police did not back down. A whole bunch of officers in dark hours launched a “combing operation” around the forest. The hunt dragged on into the night, as police plowed through the dense foliage. The initial breakthrough came when the police arrested Dungar Singh. After questioning him, the team turned their search intensified and Mahendra Singh and Madhu Singh were arrested at midnight.
The last suspect, Arvind, was found shortly after midnight on Monday morning. It was found the stolen gold that needed to be investigated, concealed under a fallen, enormous tree in a deep, thick wood, in a dramatic and bizarre twist. The whole collection of jewelry had been found unharmed, and nothing else. Four accused persons were taken into custody and a formal case registered at Kallambella Police Station.
Community Applaudation for Local Heroes
It had succeeded in the operation mainly because the highly alert public and ready police worked with the fast-moving police force. Videos of the chase over the highway since have been shared on social media, with bystanders lauding the “civilian heroes” who risked their lives to chase the robbers down. The Superintendent of Police praised the team for bravery, adding that local intelligence combined with short-time tactical movement was crucial in stopping the gang’s escape.
