BANGALORE: An assistant manager of a theatre stole a movie projector worth Rs.18 lakh and sold it for Rs. 50,000 to meet his ends.
However, he was nabbed by the Rajagopalnagar police.
Manjunath alias Theatre Manja is the accused. His three associates, Prithvi, Pramod and Venkatesh, who instigated him to steal the projector have also been arrested.
The police said that Manja was working at Rajeshwari theatre at Laggere.
The theatre was reportedly running under loss and its owner, who is said to be a relative of Manja, had shut it down about eight months ago. Manja was taking care of the theatre and its premises.
“Manja was addicted to alcohol and other vices and was carrying out all his activities at the theatre. When he ran short of money, the other accused persons prompted him to steal the projector to earn money and Manja agreed to their plan. They also struck a deal with the owner of a nearby theatre and the four stole the projector worth `18 lakh and sold it for only `50,000,” the police explained.
The incident came to light when the theatre owner visited the theatre and filed a complaint with the police.
Based on his complaint, the four accused, who were absconding, were arrested.