Family in police net

The Basavanagaudi police recently apprehended a family responsible for several thefts at marriage halls around the City.

The arrested, Rajeshwari, 48, her husband Jayakumar, 52, and their daughter Sheetal, 30, are residents of Nagadevanahalli in Jagajyothi Nagar. Valuables worth around Rs 54 lakh have been recovered from them, including 1.63 kg of gold jewellery, more than 5 kg of silver articles, 51 silk sarees and an autorickshaw.

Twelve cases of marriage hall thefts can now be declared solved with the family’s arrest, police said. Two thefts each had occurred in Basavanagudi, Jayanagar, Siddapura and Kamkashipalya. One each had taken place at Shankarapuram, Mahalakshmipuram, Rajajinagar and Vidyaranyapura.

Investigations revealed that the family had been arrested in 2004 by Saraswathipuram police in Mysore, in connection with a similar crime.

After being released on bail, they had moved to Bangalore in 2005 and resumed their criminal activities. Police expressed confidence that further investigations into the family’s history will unearth more crimes.

Rajeshwari and Sheetal dressed well and visited marriage halls. Introducing themselves as close relatives of the bride or groom, they would gain entry into their rooms when no one was around.

Once they had taken the jewellery and other valuables, they would rush to the waiting autorickshaw outside, driven by Jayakumar.

After four cases were reported from Basavanagudi and Jayanagar, police formed a special team, which scrutinised video footage of the marriages to identify the culprits.