Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Ongole Police Arrest Couple Over ₹26.5 Lakh Ornament Theft
Police in Prakasam district arrested a married couple accused of stealing jewellery from a woman’s home in Ongole.
The couple had reportedly been renting part of the house for about two months.
Police say they invited the homeowner downstairs by promising temple prasadam.
While she was eating, the woman allegedly entered the bedroom and opened a cupboard.
She is accused of taking gold and silver ornaments.
The couple allegedly went to Hyderabad the next day.
They later returned to Ongole.
Police used CCTV footage and other technical evidence to find them and recovered the jewellery.
Prakasam district police arrested a couple accused of stealing gold and silver ornaments in Ongole.
Police identified the accused as Bandaru Venkata Narayana Vara Prasad, 27, and Upputholla Mahalakshmi, 23.
The couple allegedly lured homeowner Velayudam Ramanamma downstairs with temple prasadam and tea.
Police recovered about 175 grams of gold and 850 grams of silver valued at ₹26.5 lakh.
The suspects allegedly fled to Hyderabad before returning to Ongole, where police intercepted them using CCTV footage and technical evidence.
- Who
- Bandaru Venkata Narayana Vara Prasad and his wife, Upputholla Mahalakshmi, were arrested; Velayudam Ramanamma was the alleged victim.
- What
- The couple was arrested for allegedly stealing gold and silver ornaments worth ₹26.5 lakh.
- When
- They allegedly fled the day after the theft and were intercepted after returning to Ongole on Tuesday; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- The alleged theft occurred in the Devudu Cheruvu area of Ongole, Prakasam district, and the couple was intercepted near the Koppolu flyover.
- Why
- Police said the couple was facing financial difficulties and allegedly used a false offer of prasadam and tea to distract the homeowner.
- Accused
- Bandaru Venkata Narayana Vara Prasad, 27, and Upputholla Mahalakshmi, 23
- Victim
- Velayudam Ramanamma
- Gold recovered
- About 175 grams, valued at ₹24.5 lakh
- Silver recovered
- About 850 grams, valued at ₹2 lakh
- Total recovered property
- ₹26.5 lakh
- Evidence cited
- Technical evidence and CCTV footage
- Recovery location
- Near the Koppolu flyover in Ongole