Youth's craving for gambling takes him behind bars

He had stolen gold ornaments worth Rs four lakh

A 25-year-old youth, who had taken to crime only to keep his habits, has landed in the police net.

Vijayanagar police have arrested Siddarama alias Sidda on theft charges and have recovered eight gold valuables weighing 190 grams worth Rs four lakh from him on July 18. A native of Kogana Nanjana Hundi on Nanjangud road in Mysore taluk, Siddarama is a former cab driver.

He had allegedly decamped with valuables from the house of Praveen Shetty, on Hinkal Gram Panchayat road, one month ago. Shetty, who runs a provision store attached to the house, had gone outside when Siddarama sneaked into the premises by removing the asbestos sheet roof of the house during night hours.

Siddarama had later pledged the booty at different finance companies and also private bankers only to get Rs 2.5 lakh in total.

Police said, he had staked the same amount on gambling, a habit he has kept for long.

He had also made some good money, but only to lose later. Similarly, he had splurged Rs 30 lakh after selling an acre of his land. Two months ago, he had been arrested by K R Police on charges of lifting a Tata Sumo. However, he succeeded in walking out of the jail, as the case was quashed.

The police team was led by Inspector B R Lingappa, consisting of Sub-inspector B N Puneeth and others.