Surathkal: An elderly man was recently arrested by the Surathkal police based on a theft complaint filed by a local resident in the previous month.
The arrested accused has been identified as Aboobakkar (64) alias Abdul Khader alias Barpe Aboobakkar, who hails from Chikkamagaluru. The police seized 121 grams in gold ornaments worth an estimates Rs 3,50,000 and two two-wheelers from the arrested accused. Aboobakkar’s associate, who helped him commit the theft, is still at large.
Reportedly, a resident of Surathkal’s NMPT colony, Ramesh Poojary had filed a complaint with the police last month, alleging that gold ornaments weighing 208 grams and cash of Rs 25,000 was stolen from his residence.
The theft was recorded by the CCTV cameras that Poojary had installed in his house. The police were able to use this footage to not only gather evidence, but also identify Aboobakkar.
In the video, Aboobakkar and an associate were seen entering the house at around 3 AM, by using the house keys which they had procured from inside the house with the use of a pole and hook. The duo was then seen trying to remove evidence of their presence by cleaning the door and floor after committing the theft. The police, however, found evidence of their crime in the cupboard. As Aboobakkar’s face was seen on the footage, the police were able to identify him.
After he was caught, Aboobakkar admitted to having committed thefts in the Moodbidri, Bajpe, Venoor and Mulki police station limits. The police also learnt that Aboobakkar owns a clothing store in Chikkamagaluru and would run it during the day and steal during the night. He allegedly travelled on his two-wheeler to different locations to commit theft. On the day in question, he had travelled from Chikkamagaluru to Surathkal for his nightly activity.
The police also suspect that Aboobakkar is responsible for thefts in Kerala.
