Bhubaneswar, Dec 27: Khallikote police in Ganjam district arrested a couple on Thursday for allegedly stealing cash and valuables from temple donation boxes. The duo, residents of the Rambha area, was apprehended at Keshpur Square on National Highway No. 16 during a routine vehicle check.

Masquerading as devotees, the couple targeted temples across Khallikote, Keshpur, and Rambha areas. During interrogation, they confessed to multiple thefts. Police recovered ₹30,000 in cash, gold ornaments, two silver chains, and a stolen donation box from their scooty.

Chhatrapur SDPO Gourahari Sahu stated that the arrests came after police investigated a string of thefts at temples in the region. CCTV footage revealed a couple on a scooty behaving suspiciously near temples, leading the authorities to track and apprehend them.

The police have intensified their investigation to determine if the couple was involved in similar crimes elsewhere. Temple authorities have been urged to install security measures to prevent such incidents.

Powered by Froala Editor