Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Jul 8: Police have arrested a man and a woman in connection to the theft of Rs 18 lac at builder Narasimha Rao's house in Konchady recently.
The accused arrested are Ambanna Basappa Jadar alias Ambarish (25) and Rashida alias Kaji (23), both from Navalgunda of Dharwad district. The police have recovered Rs 17.38 lac in cash and silver and gold ornaments worth Rs 9,700 bought from the stolen money.
Addressing a press meet at his office here on Friday July 8, police commissioner Chandra Sekhar said that based on the CCTV images obtained from the builder's house, it was clear that the maid and the watchman had committed the crime.
A few days ago, Narasimha Rao had placed an advertisement seeking people for the jobs of watchman and maid. Ambarish and Rashida had come to his house seeking employment, and they were hired for the two jobs. They had given their names as Shiva and Jyoti.
On July 2 at around 4.30 pm, when the family was out, the two along with four other unidentified persons burnt down the door of the builder's house and decamped with Rs 18 lac in cash and three mobile phones. They then went absconding.
With the help of CCTV images, a police team led by ACP Udaya Nayak investigated the case and arrested the accused from Kulai here on July 8, said the police commissioner.
Chandra Sekhar also said that the accused Ambarish was previously arrested and convicted in an attempt-to-murder case in Hubballi, but he managed to escaped from prison. He was then arrested in a theft case.
The commissioner thanked the Navulgunda police for assisting the Mangaluru police in the investigation.
Urging the public to be careful about who they hire for domestic work, he said, "Every person, before hiring anyone for domestic work, should check the person's background. The person's photo identity proof, such as Aadhaar card should also be obtained. To ensure that they are not involved in any case, police verification should be done. CCTVs should be installed in houses as well as commercial buildings for security."
Asked if more persons were involved in the crime, the police commissioner said that further investigations are on and some more people are being questioned.
The commissioner also appreciated the investigation team headed by ACP Udaya Nayak, comprising Kavoor inspector Nataraj, SI Umesh and others, and rewarded them with Rs 500 each and commendaton certificates.