Tanzanian held for burglary in former MLA's house in city

The Sadashivanagar police have arrested a foreign national in connection with a burglary and theft case.

According to the police, the accused has been identified as Paul Cole Saiki alias James, 31, a native of Tanzania and a resident of Kothanur. Police recovered 680 grams of gold ornaments and Rs 3.75 lakh in cash. 

During interrogation, Saiki revealed that he and four others, Francis Ivalis Brain, Subrino, Tabol and Pedro, from Brazil and Mexico, who are currently absconding, broke into the house of former Srinivaspur MLA G K Venkatashiva Reddy in Sadashivanagar 5th Main and made away with a locker containing gold and silver valuables and expensive wrist watches and cash, all worth of Rs 45 to 50 lakh, said the police.

The incident took place on June 12, when Reddy had gone out with his family. Later, a case was filed at the Sadashivanagar police station.

During investigation, CCTV footage showed that the crime was committed by a foreign national. More information was gathered and Saiki was arrested from his residence, added the police.

Duplicate cards
“A number of duplicate debit and credit cards and a machine for making duplicate cards were found. There were several bills from various jewellery shops in Bengaluru and Kerala,’’ the police said adding that Saiki was purchasing gold using the duplicate cards.
Ornaments worth Rs 15 lakh were brought with these cards.

There were also duplicate vehicle registration number plates which he used to change frequently to mislead police, said a senior police officer. “Saiki had come to Pune in 2012 and then moved to Bengaluru in 2015. He was living in Kothanur with his wife Shamin Saiki, also from Tanzania, and a child. He had enrolled for a degree course in St Hopkins College on Bannerghatta Road and dropped out after a year. His passport and visa are being scrutinised. Information about the other suspects is being gathered. It is suspected that the others might have fled the country but efforts are being made to trace them,” added the officer.

A case has been registered at the Sadashivanagar police station and investigations are on.