Auto driver targets locked houses, loots them in broad daylight

The accused, J Karthik of Virugambakkam, has been arrested on charges of housebreaking in 2010. He was arrested again for stealing jewels from his relative’s house in Krishnagiri in March and came out on bail recently.

After two houses in Valasaravakkam were burgled in the last week, a special team was formed under Assistant Commissioner Mahimai Veeran and inspector Amudha to nab the suspects. When the team was going through the CCTV footage, they found a man, wearing dhoti, carrying the burgled items in a plastic bag and then getting into an autorickshaw.

The police traced the auto with the help of registration number recorded in the CCTV footage and inquired the driver. The driver reportedly told police that Karthik gave him the vehicle a few days ago on basis of daily rent.

Based on his inputs, the police secured Karthik and investigation revealed that he carried out the burglaries in broad daylight while he was going for rides. 

“He would look for locked individual houses and enter them through the backdoor. He pledged some of the jewels and bought the autorickshaw and used it for offence before giving it to another person out of fear that he would be traced,” said police. Karthik was remanded in judicial custody on Sunday.