New Delhi, Oct 20 (IANS): A 32-year-old carpenter was arrested Monday on the suspicion of murdering a 70-year-old woman, Suman Bala Bhatnagar, here, police said.

Police have recovered looted jewellery and cash from the carpenter's (Haider) possession.

Haider, who has been residing in a rented accommodation in East Delhi's Mandawali, was arrested from his sister's house at Madanpur Khadar in south Delhi Monday morning.

According to the police, Haider had earlier recced Bhatnagar's Preet Vihar house.

Haider had no trouble entering the house Sunday afternoon as he was known to Bhatnagar and then smothered her to death before looting the house.

Bhatnagar, a retired employee of the Ministry of External Affairs, was found dead inside her flat in Chitra Vihar area of east Delhi around 3.25 p.m. Sunday.

She used to reside alone on the ground floor of the house. Her husband had passed away and her son is living in Chennai. Her two daughters are married and are residing in Delhi.

"Haider was facing financial hardships due to alcohol addiction. He was aware that the victim used to reside alone. He took advantage of his visits at the residence of the victim for petty household work," Deputy Commissioner of Police Ajay Kumar said.