Bengaluru: Bengaluru police have arrested two men from Tamil Nadu for allegedly stealing laptops from paying guest (PG) accommodations across the city and have recovered 48 laptops collectively valued at around ₹40 lakh. The arrests follow an investigation triggered by a complaint filed in Electronic City in early December 2025, police officials said on Tuesday.
The accused have been identified as Gautam, 30, a laptop service technician, and Rajadorai, 33, an autorickshaw driver. Police revealed that Rajadorai has two prior criminal cases registered against him in Tamil Nadu. The duo is suspected of being involved in a series of laptop thefts targeting PG facilities in multiple parts of Bengaluru.
Complaint from Electronic City PG
The case came to light after a resident of a PG facility within the jurisdiction of the Electronic City police station lodged a complaint on December 1, 2025. In his complaint, the resident stated that unknown persons had entered his room through an unlocked door and stolen three laptops belonging to him and his friends.
According to the complainant, the theft occurred sometime between the night of November 28 and the morning of November 29. The loss of multiple laptops caused significant inconvenience to the victims, who were working professionals and students relying on the devices for their daily work.
Based on the complaint, the Electronic City police registered a case of theft and began a detailed investigation.
Investigation and tracking of suspects
Police officials said the investigation involved a thorough examination of the crime scene and the collection of technical and human intelligence. CCTV footage from the PG facility and surrounding areas was analysed to identify suspicious movements during the time frame of the theft.
Investigators also gathered inputs from local informants and cross-checked records of similar thefts reported in other parts of the city. The pattern suggested that the offenders were specifically targeting PG accommodations, particularly those with minimal security arrangements.
After analysing the footage and intelligence inputs, police zeroed in on Rajadorai as a suspect.
Arrest in Tamil Nadu
On December 11, 2025, a police team traced Rajadorai to Tamil Nadu and took him into custody. During questioning, Rajadorai reportedly confessed to committing the theft at the Electronic City PG facility.
Police officials said that during interrogation, Rajadorai also admitted to his involvement in several other laptop thefts from PG facilities across Bengaluru. His statements provided crucial leads about how the stolen laptops were being disposed of.
Further questioning led the police to Gautam, who was allegedly responsible for handling and selling the stolen devices.
Modus operandi revealed
According to the police, the accused followed a clear division of roles. Rajadorai would identify PG facilities with lax security, particularly places where residents often left their room doors unlocked. He would then enter the premises late at night or early in the morning and steal laptops from the rooms.
The stolen devices were subsequently handed over to Gautam. As a laptop service technician, Gautam allegedly reformatted, refurbished and altered the devices to erase identifying details. He would then sell the laptops in the grey market, making it difficult for owners to trace them.
Police said that while 48 laptops have been recovered so far, several others had already been sold. Efforts are ongoing to track down and recover the remaining devices.
Recovery worth ₹40 lakh
The recovered laptops, collectively valued at around ₹40 lakh, were seized from different locations based on information provided by the accused. Police officials said the recovery represents a major breakthrough, as laptop thefts from PG facilities have been a recurring problem in the city, particularly in IT corridors.
The seized devices will be verified and returned to their rightful owners after due legal procedures are completed.
Accused produced before court
Both Gautam and Rajadorai were produced before a local court and have been remanded in police custody for further interrogation. Police said custodial questioning is necessary to identify additional theft locations, trace the sale network, and establish whether more individuals were involved in the racket.
Investigators are also comparing details from other unsolved PG theft cases to determine if they are linked to the arrested duo.
Police advisory to PG residents
Following the arrests, police have once again urged PG residents and facility operators to take basic security precautions. Officials advised residents to lock their rooms at all times, even during short absences, and encouraged PG owners to install CCTV cameras and access control measures.
“Many thefts occur due to unlocked doors and lack of vigilance. Simple precautions can significantly reduce such crimes,” a senior police officer said.
Conclusion
The arrest of the two accused and the recovery of 48 laptops mark a significant step in curbing a series of thefts that had caused concern among PG residents in Bengaluru. As the investigation continues, police are hopeful of recovering more stolen devices and preventing similar crimes in the future. The case highlights the need for improved security in shared accommodations across the city.