Beijing, Dec 12 (IANS): Known as a charismatic boss and kind hearted philanthropist during the day, he was a habitual thief stealing precious jewels from high class community buildings at night.

It may sound like the fairy tale hijinks of Robin Hood, but a man arrested in southern Zhaoqing city in Guangdong province is just that.

The story recently went viral after police arrested the man, surnamed Yu, on burglary charges, the local public security bureau told Xinhua Thursday.

The case started earlier this year with a local resident reporting lost items such as gold necklaces, rings, gold bracelets and tablet computers. The bureau received several similar cases, all happening in high-rise buildings.

Investigators concluded that the robber crept into residential houses via gas conduits during the wee hours of the night.

Records showed that Yu had been living in a five star hotel since late 2013.

The 27-year-old, called "Boss Yu" by those familiar with him, was often seen lingering in high-end clubs and hotels, or donating money to local welfare houses and charity organisations in the daytime. But at night, he took off his suit to live a double-life as a pilferer of property.

Yu confessed to police that he had stolen items worth more than 500,000 yuan ($80,802) in some 20 burglaries since November 2013.