Police have launched a search for two of Anand’s associates- Mohan and Surendar. A passerby noticed the man struggling to get himself out of the sludge and alerted the police.

However, Anand’s theft came to light when police inquired Anand about the two gunny sacks full of brass utensils found on the spot. He told police that he and his friends stole them from a temple near Perambur flyover early Friday morning. The trio parted ways after the theft and Anand was assigned to take the stolen items to a specific spot when he got stuck in the sludge.