The Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district police on Sunday arrested three individuals from Odisha for allegedly robbing ₹15.62 lakh from a Sachivalayam employee at Bangarumetta in Munchingputtu mandal.

The accused were identified as Santosh Kumar Mahapatra (28), Vikas Kora (25) and Swapnil Durai (19), all residents of Koraput district in Odisha.

Addressing the media in Paderu, Superintendent of Police, ASR district, Amit Bardar said that the incident took place on July 31 when K. Machchebabu, a welfare assistant from Bondapalli, Pedabayalu, was returning home with cash meant for pension disbursement. The accused allegedly attacked him at knifepoint and fled with the money on a motorbike.

Following the complaint, the SHOs from Munchingputtu and Pedabayalu immediately swung into action. Three special teams were formed to investigate the case. Following instructions from DSP Paderu Sub-Division, Shaik Shahbaz Ahmed, one special team tracked and analysed CCTV footage, while another carried out ground verification. Acting on a tip-off, the suspects were nabbed at Jolaput in Munchingputtu mandal.

The SP said the prime accused, Santosh Kumar, had planned the robbery. The trio had reportedly followed the welfare assistant from the bank before executing the crime. Police recovered the entire stolen amount of ₹15.62 lakh, along with the two-wheeler and two knives used in the crime. The accused were produced before court and remanded to judicial custody.

Mr. Bardar said that 562 CCTV cameras have been installed across ASR district to deter crimes and appealed to citizens to report suspicious activities. He urged commercial establishments, banks and associations to install more surveillance cameras to strengthen crime detection.

The SP appreciated Circle Inspector of G. Madugula PS B. Srinivasa Rao, Sub-Inspector of Munchingputtu PS, J. Ramakrishna, Sub-Inspector of Araku PS, G. Gopal Rao and their teams for swiftly cracking the case.