Inter-state burglar among four arrested, 27 tola gold recovered
VISAKHAPATNAM: IN a major haul, the city police on Saturday arrested four persons, including a notorious inter-state burglar, wanted in 15 house-breaks reported from Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts. The police have recovered 27 tola of gold, 5 kg silver, two motorcycles, a mobile phone and `3,500 in cash.
While the inter-state burglar used to sketch plans and commit house-breaks, the other three used to aid him. The main accused has been identified as Routhu Mallesh (39), a native of Narsipatnam in Visakhapatnam district. The aides have been identified as Tadi Sudhakar Reddy (46), a resident of Anaparthi in East Godavari district, M Rakesh Chandan (38), a resident of Rajamahendavaram and N Apparao (36) from Narsipatnam.
Producing the accused before the media here, joint commissioner of police AS Khan said Routhu Mallesh had committed 15 house-breaks in four months between April and July this year. Out of them, two were in the Tuni Rural limits and 13 in Visakhapatnam city and the district limits.
Mallesh is a rowdy-sheeter and was jailed earlier for committing 12 house-breaks. During his jail term, he befriended one Tadi Sudhakar Reddy, arrested earlier in a fake currency racket case. Apparao is a known person to Mallesh, while Chandan is known to Sudhakar Reddy. All the four formed a team and started committing offences at Duvvada, Airport area, MVP Colony, Anakapalle Rural, Narsipatnam, PM Palem, Dwaraka zone, Nakkapalle and several others localities in Vizag.
Duvvada inspector Simhadri Naidu, one of the investigation officers in the case, said Mallesh used to do recce to select the targets alone and in the night, he would gain entry into the house and make good with the valuables.
“The modus operandi is simple. He uses an iron rod and breaks the locks. After the theft, he approaches the three aides who help dispose of the stolen valuables,” said Simhadri Naidu. The arrested were remanded. Cases have been registered.