KATHMANDU: Metropolitan Police Crime Division said it recently arrested one of three persons involved in the theft at the Samakhusi-based JanaMilan Cooperative on April 26, a day after the devastating earthquake struck Nepal.

He has been identified as Mek Lal Tamang (22) of Nuwakot, currently residing at Samakhusi area.

After his arrest, two of his accomplices have also been identified. Sunil Tamang (22) and Maniraj Kafle (32) were already in police custody in different criminal cases, MPCD said.

Taking advantage of the mayhem in the wake of the devastating earthquake, the gang of three allegedly stole a shelf containing Rs 7,00,170 and gold ornaments weighing 43 tola on Sunday, April 26 from the Cooperative.

During interrogation, Mek Lal Tamang told the MPCD that his gang took the shelf containing fortune to the Shivapuri National Park via Tokha and broke it there.

The MPCD said the broken shelf was found disposed at the pond in Baudepani Muhan as evidence.

He has been sent to the Metropolitan Police Range Kathmandu for legal action.

MPCD said Sunil Tamang, who currently resided at Jhor of Tokha Municipality, is in police custody in Kathmandu in a case of possession of illegal arms, while Maniraj Kafle aka Bahun is in detention in Chitwan.

He is accused of attempted murder and illegal possession of arms.

A permanent resident of Nawalparasi, Kafle earlier resided at Samakhusi area.