Police in Tirupati have solved four murder-for-gain cases and a robbery after arresting a fugitive from Karnataka who had allegedly been living under a fake identity in the temple city.
Superintendent of Police L Subbarayudu said the accused was initially identified as P Vishwanath alias Prashanth and was arrested earlier this year in connection with a murder case.
Shocking identity revealed
Further investigation linked him to two murders in Tiruchanoor, one in Pichatur and a robbery within Tirupati CCS limits.
During custodial questioning, police discovered that his real identity was MM Azeez, aged 39, a native of Suliya Taluk.
Officials said he had been operating in Tirupati after relocating there in 2024.
Long criminal history across states
Police said Azeez had more than 21 serious criminal cases registered across Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
In 2018, he allegedly escaped from Kerala police custody, after which authorities announced a ₹2 lakh reward for information leading to his arrest.
Fake Aadhaar and fresh crimes
Investigators said after committing crimes in Kerala and Karnataka, he moved to Tirupati, secured a fake Aadhaar identity and began living as Vishwanath.
Police also detained a local woman, L Rajamma, who allegedly assisted him in purchasing an autorickshaw and carrying out robberies and murders for financial gain.
Property seized, cases solved
Officials seized gold, silver and an autorickshaw valued at ₹21.5 lakh.
Police said the arrest has not only solved recent cases but also ended the years-long search for a fugitive who had evaded authorities across three southern states.