Thieves use umbrellas to steal in shops, arrested; Another thief wanted in 50 cases held

BENGALURU: The city police have arrested a gang of thieves who used umbrellas to hide their identities, wore red shirts and red caps, and covered faces with masks to steal in shops. The theft cases reported in Byadarahalli police station limits.

They use a simple trick to steal — cover their faces with umbrellas and spray black paint on CCTV cameras. They targeted shops, especially during late hours. Within 5-10 minutes, they would break the locks with a rod and decamp with valuables.

Before breaking the lock, they spray black paint on CCTV cameras. Public TV has exclusive CCTV footage of their acts. Last week, the thieves broke into a garment store and a medical centre on Magadi Road and stole money and clothes.

In another case, a notorious thief, who was evading the police by living in forested areas after committing thefts in the city, has been arrested by Girinagar police. The accused Narasimha Reddy used to target single houses and those with locked doors to steal valuables when no one was around.

Recently, he broke into a house in Girinagar and escaped to the forest with the stolen jewellery.

The accused had identified two forests to take shelter at night — near Nelamangala and Krishnagiri. He used to sleep on the rocks in the forest. He always challenged the police to catch him and would play hide and seek. Finally, the Girinagar police arrested him in the forest of Gudemaranahalli.

Narasimha Reddy, a native of Solur in Magadi, was involved in more than 50 cases. The police have recovered gold ornaments worth Rs 70 lakh from him.