Notorious thief, on the run since 2001, nabbed

Bengaluru: The Madiwala police have arrested a notorious thief involved in over 116 cases of house break-ins, theft, and other crimes since 2001, officials said.

The suspect, 43-year-old Prakash alias Balaji, was found with valuables worth Rs 75 lakh, including 779 grams of gold ornaments. The police said that he was linked to 13 cases in the southeastern division alone.

Among the seized items were the tools he used to make fake keys, and a motorcycle used for the crimes.

Investigations revealed that Balaji disguised himself as an e-commerce delivery executive while scouting target areas to avoid suspicion. He identified houses, examined lock types, and used a key-making machine — purchased online — to make duplicates, the police said.

He came under the police radar after a recent house break-in in Venkatapura. A detailed analysis of over 150 CCTV footage led the investigators to Balaji, who had remained elusive as he did not use a mobile phone, and had been hardened in prison during earlier convictions.

The police tracked his relatives and acquaintances before finally arresting him.

During interrogation, Balaji admitted to committing the thefts to repay debts owed to fellow inmates at the Parappana Agrahara prison, officials added.