Four held for house thefts; Rs 35 lakh worth valuables seized

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru

Peenya police officials have arrested four habitual offenders who were involved in house theft cases across several police station limits in the city. The accused were identified as Fayaz Ahmed, a scrap dealer; Prasad, a driver; Mahesh and Sumanth who would sell the stolen valuables, police said.

The police said that their modus operandi included targeting locked houses. They would enter by breaking the door locks and flee with the valuables. According to the police, the accused have been arrested on several occasions, but they have of late formed a gang to carry out their illegal activities.

The police also said that Fayaz had been involved in more than 24 HBT cases across Karnataka, with the first case being filed against him in the year 1990. The accused Prasad, was a car driver but took crime in 2010. The police identified his involvement in more than 21 cases across the state.

The third accused, Mahesh, was arrested by Vijayangar police in Mysuru district, after an attempt to murder case was filed against him. He was set out on bail after a few months and he too joined the duo.

The fourth accused Sumanth, who was identified to be a relative of the second accused Prasad, used to help the gang in selling the stolen valuables in exchange for the money. Based on their information, the police recovered stolen valuables including gold and silver ornaments worth Rs 35.47 lakh from their possession. Currently, the accused are being interrogated and further investigations are on, police said