Bengaluru: A 36-year-old man, identified as Nagaraj from Devanahalli, has been arrested by Thalaghattapura police for allegedly stealing laptops and mobile phones from paying guest (PG) accommodations and hotels. Police revealed that he had committed thefts not only in Karnataka but also in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Arrest and recovery of valuables
Nagaraj was earlier arrested by Tamil Nadu police in connection with another theft case and lodged in Puzhal Central Prison. Acting on a body warrant, Bengaluru police took him into custody on August 14 for further investigation. From him, police seized 14 mobile phones and four laptops, together valued at around ₹6 lakh.
According to police, Nagaraj had stolen an iPhone, a laptop, documents, and ₹600 in cash from a PG accommodation near Thalaghattapura Metro station on July 15. The victim, identified as Senthil Marimuthu, was asleep at the time. Nagaraj had rented a room in the same PG two days before committing the crime.
Use of fake documents and identities
Investigators learned that Nagaraj used fake Aadhaar cards and mobile numbers while renting rooms. When they traced one such number, it was found to belong to an acquaintance of Nagaraj. This led them to discover that he had already been arrested in Tamil Nadu, following which Bengaluru police secured his custody for interrogation.
Modus operandi across multiple locations
During questioning, Nagaraj confessed that he rented PG rooms and hotels for two to three days, waiting for an opportunity to steal valuables. He noted that many residents kept their doors unlatched while sleeping, which allowed him to enter their rooms easily through the main doors.
Nagaraj committed thefts in several police station limits across Bengaluru and nearby areas, including Thalaghattapura, Cubbon Park, Nandini Layout, Vyalikaval, Konankunte, Seshadripuram, Yelahanka, Tiptur Town, Govindpura, and Devanahalli.
Selling stolen goods and gambling addiction
He admitted to selling the stolen laptops and mobile phones to individuals in the city. Police said Nagaraj, who has completed his SSLC, is addicted to gambling and had spent most of the stolen money on betting.
Impersonation and online fraud
Apart from physical thefts, Nagaraj also confessed to engaging in impersonation fraud. After stealing mobile phones, he would send messages from the victim’s number, pretending to be them, and borrow money from their family and friends under the pretext of an emergency.
Conclusion
Police have described Nagaraj as a habitual offender with a history of cybercrime arrests. His latest arrest has brought relief to several victims across Bengaluru who had lost valuables under similar circumstances. Authorities are now investigating those who purchased stolen items from him.