CHENNAI: A burglar who was released from prison in the evening couldn’t resist another opportunity, even though it presented itself the same night.

According to the police, on September 8, Manikandan, 28, a known offender, was released from prison where he was lodged for a mobile phone theft.

The same night, he allegedly joined one Santhosh and broke into a locked house in Madambakkam near Tambaram and stole gold and diamond jewellery.

The next day, neighbours, who noticed the lock of the house broken, informed the house owner Padmanabhan (74), a retired employee of the Kalpakkam Atomic Power Station, who had left for Madurai along with his family on September 4.

Padmanabhan immediately returned to Chennai and found that a six-sovereign gold chain and diamond earrings were missing from his locker.

Based on Padmanabhan’s complaint, the Selaiyur police registered a case and began an investigation. The police examined CCTV footage and found that a duo was involved, but they were wearing helmets, making identification difficult.

Finally, fingerprints collected from the scene matched that of Manikandan. The police subsequently traced his associate Santhosh (25) as well.

Further investigation revealed that Manikandan, who has more than 10 cases, including robbery, theft and snatching, pending against him, had carried out the burglary within hours of release from the prison.

The police have recovered the stolen jewellery, silver articles and a two-wheeler used by the duo. Both have been remanded in judicial custody.