Mangaluru Police Chase Mobile Thief, Viral Video Gives Him Rs 10,000 Reward

An assistant sub-inspector from Mangaluru won both internet fame and a cash prize of Rs 10,000 after chasing down a mobile phone thief and the incident was caught on camera.

The incident took place on Wednesday, but it came to light only after the video went viral.

The police officer in the video is Varun Alva, assistant sub-inspector of Mangaluru city police.

According to police, the victim Prem Narayan Yogi, a granite worker from Rajasthan, was resting near Nehru Maidan when Harish Pujari (32) snatched his mobile phone from him. Yogi shouted for help and the public started chasing the priest. A team of police including Alva was at the spot. Officials said that Alva ran after the priest and apprehended him while his gang members tried to make a diversion.

The entire incident was recorded in a mobile camera.

Other members of the police team caught the second accused Shamant (20), while the third Rajesh managed to escape.

On Thursday, the Mangaluru city police commissioner announced and honored Alva with a cash reward of Rs 10,000. A police officer said that the investigation revealed that the accused worked in Mangaluru city and was involved in several thefts and dacoities.

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