Representative image for an arrest.
Credit: iStock Photo
Bengaluru: The Byadarahalli police have arrested a man involved in at least 11 house break-ins and theft cases in Bengaluru, officials said on Tuesday.
Along with Shiva, 35, a resident of Begur, the police also arrested his associates Jagga, 35, and Vivek, 30.
While the suspects, according to the police, spent the stolen money on their vices, Shiva’s parents, however, claim that he helped a friend pay school fees for his child.
The police said that the three were arrested following a recent house break-in reported in Byadarahalli. Investigations revealed that Shiva had purchased an autorickshaw using the crime proceeds and used it to scout for potential houses to target.
After committing the thefts, he would engage his two associates to dispose of the stolen gold, mainly in Thiruvali, Tamil Nadu.
So far, the police estimate that the gang stole and disposed of 260 grams of gold ornaments worth Rs 22 lakh. Officials said they have managed to recover most of the stolen jewellery.
"Some suspects have the habit of donating a portion of the stolen goods, but that doesn’t make them saints,” a police officer said. “Even if he did what his parents claim, his criminal intent cannot be justified.”