Mandya district police have arrested a habitual offender in connection with a string of house burglaries, solving 10 cases and recovering stolen property valued at nearly ₹40 lakh, including 490 grams of gold ornaments.

At a press meet held on Thursday, Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi announced that a special investigation team was formed following a house break-in reported on May 20 under the Nagamangala Rural police station limits. The probe led to the arrest of Rangegowda M.V., a resident of Mudugere village in Halebeedu taluk, Hassan district.

Rangegowda, known for targeting locked homes during daylight hours, has been linked to 10 burglaries—three each under Bindiganavile and Bellur limits, and one each in Nagamangala Rural, Turuvekere, and Huliyuru jurisdictions. A significant quantity of gold and other valuables were recovered during the operation.

The SP emphasized the need for heightened vigilance, instructing officers to keep tabs on recently released convicts, including those out on bail. To further strengthen district-wide security, enhanced surveillance measures are being planned. “Installation of CCTV cameras is being scaled up. In Mallavalli taluk alone, 100 cameras have already been put in place,” Baladandi added.