Bengaluru: Backdoor thief arrested, articles worth Rs 35 lakh recovered

Bengaluru: The Banasawadi police have halted the free run of a thief, who broke into houses by gaining entry from the backdoor, and recovered valuables worth Rs 35 lakh from him.

The arrested, Kamal Singh (28) from Nepal, was staying at Pragathi Layout near Diamond College. The police have launched a hunt for his associate Mohan Singh.

Kamal worked as a security guard and also ran a Chinese food cart. He went around searching for houses, whose front gates were locked indicating that the owners were not in town.

He would do a further recce, get a confirmation that the residents were not home and reached the spot only after 1 am.

He would always jump into the house through neighbouring terraces. He would break open the backdoor or balcony door as they normally have weaker locking systems. After committing the burglary, he exited from the same door.

Kamal left Nepal nine years ago. He had settled in Mumbai and committed seven thefts, and was convicted for one year in one case. He came to Bengaluru later and continued with his criminal activities.

He burgled houses for a while and went to Nepal with his wife to spend all the money he had earned burgling. Once, the money got over, he would return and get back to burglary.

In June, he was caught by the R.T. Nagar police, who had taken his fingerprints. On November 27, the Banasawadi police recovered his fingerprints from a crime scene and traced him. When the police knocked on his doors, he was all set to leave for Nepal with his wife.

With his arrest, five burglaries in the Banasawadi police limits and one in Rammurthynagar limits have been solved. The police recovered 700 grams of gold and silver articles, US currency, expensive watches, mobile phones and more, all worth Rs 35 lakh.

DCP (East) Dr Sharanappa appreciated the efforts of ACP P Raviprasad and Banasawadi Inspector H. Jayaraj.