‘Devoted’ thief offers prayers before stealing idols in temple

A ‘pious’ thief, not only made away with five idols, (three made of Panchaloha and the rest of brass, from the shrine) but also offered prayers to the deity before committing the crime.  His actions were recorded on CCTV cameras.

The theft happened on the night of April 20, after a burglar scaled the walls of Sri Azhagu Sundara Perumal temple at Seevalaperi and decamped with the figurines. 

Police initially suspected that at least a gang of two or three persons would have been involved in the heist as the temple hundi was also broken and cash stolen. 

When the police, as part of their investigation, checked the footage recorded in the CCTV camera installed at the temple, they were taken aback as only one person was seen to have executed the robbery. 

The burglar was seen without a shirt and had covered his face in an effort to conceal his identity. Interestingly, the God-fearing thief, in the footage, after nearing the sanctum sanctorum removed his slippers and worshipped the Lord, with a torchlight, for five seconds. Later, he walked to the next shrine, that of Goddess Lakshmi, and offered prayers. After this, he wore his slippers and got into the act.

Police sources said that the behaviour of the burglar has shocked them and they have launched a manhunt to nab the ‘pious’ thief.

As his face was covered completely, they were not able to identify him. Sources later expressed the hope that he would soon come out to sell the idols and get caught.