KOCHI/TIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid heightened apprehension that organised gangs from neighbouring states, that specialise in heists, are lying low in the state, awaiting a chance to strike, police data reveals that such incidents involving non-Keralites have been witnessing a steady rise.
As many as 1,378 theft cases involving non-Keralites were registered in the last 45 months and there has been an increase in such incidents each year, official data shows.
According to data prepared by the home department, which was placed before the assembly last month, 192 cases of theft involving non-Keralites were registered in 2021. This rose to 360 in 2022. In 2023, the number increased further to 519.
Till the end of September this year, 307 such cases were registered. Records reveal that cops managed to arrest the accused and bring them to justice in 1,325 cases. Not much headway has been made in the remaining 53 cases. In 1,044 cases, officers partially or fully retrieved the loot.
This year, stolen valuables have been recovered in 224 cases. The corresponding figures for the previous three years stood at 411, 263, and 146 respectively. Sources with the State Crime Records Bureau said they don’t readily maintain the break-up of thieves on the basis of their state of origin.
Recent incidents of theft reported in Ernakulam and Alappuzha districts have brought non-Keralite gangs of robbers back into the limelight. The modus operandi in these cases suggest a striking resemblance to professional gangs that hail from the hinterlands of Tamil Nadu.
Theft cases involving other-state burglars
2021 - 192
2022 - 360
2023 - 519
2024 - 307
(till Sept)
Increase in elderly-only homes could result in spike in burglaries: Ex-cop
As senior police officer said the public need not panic as the situation is fully under control. “Cops are actively pursuing cases. There is no cause for concern.”
Meanwhile, a sub-inspector working with Ernakulam Rural Police, who has travelled to other states in several cases, said that a majority of ATM theft cases involve people from other states. According to him, thieves from other states believe that Malayalis keep gold and valuables at home.
“We had probed a case in which a three-member gang arrived on a flight and carried out thefts at four houses and returned on another flight. Also, most of our houses are occupied by elderly people nowadays as a majority of youngsters are moving abroad. The elderly keep cash at home rather than use digital transaction modes. Unlike local thieves, burglars from other states are hardcore criminals who aren’t afraid to take the lives of innocent people,” the officer said.
In April, Muhammad Irfan, a Bihar native, came to Kochi driving his car and stole jewellery worth over `1 crore from the house of filmmaker Joshiy in Panampilly Nagar. Most recently, two gangs from New Delhi and Mumbai stole 39 mobile phones during a DJ concert at Bolgatty in Kochi.
Retired Superintendent of Police George Joseph said thefts involving other state gangs have increased compared to the time he was in the police. There have also been thefts involving people from ‘Thiruttu Gramams’ in Tamil Nadu.
“Now, many youngsters, even if they are unemployed, use smartphones worth over `1 lakh. The popular trend here is to invest in gold. Burglars know that even if they enter a house randomly, they can get hold of gold ornaments. Considering the migration trend, such burglaries are likely to go up in the coming years as only elderly persons would be home in many houses,” he said.
