Kollam: A youth who struck terror at Eravipuram and Valathunkal by committing thefts and sexually assaulting women during the last one month has finally landed in the police net. The accused identified as Abhijith alias Appu, 22, of Akkolil Kunnil Veedu at Valathunkal was taken into custody from his hideout at Koona in Paravur by the Paravur police on Tuesday.
According to the police, the culprit known as 'black man' targeted houses in which women lived alone.
Though the local people formed squads and kept a watch, he indulged in 15 incidents of crimes at Valathunkal, Mayyanad, Eravipuram, Koottikkada and Pallimukku during the past 10 days.
After identifying the houses for theft, the thief would knock at the door saying "it's me" to make it appear that he is familiar with the family. If the woman hesitates to open the door, he would barge into the house by breaking the door.
The women were sexually assaulted and looted.
He was identified by the victims from the CCTV visuals and the police held him with the help of the public.
Abhijith, a drug addict, is also a history-sheeter with cases registered against him for theft, sexual assault and petty crimes under the police station limits of Eravipuram, Chathannoor, Ayiroor and Varkala.
The police on Wednesday produced him before a local court which remanded him in custody.
