Notorious thief, wanted in five districts, arrested

BENGALURU: The Vidyaranyapura police have arrested a notorious thief who was wanted by the police in five districts. The accused Aslam Pasha would give a portion of the stolen money to a dargah as an offering.

Aslam Pasha has been involved in 150 theft cases in his career. He has committed house thefts in Bengaluru City, Bengaluru Rural, Shivamogga, Haveri and Davanagere districts. He would scout for luxurious houses during the day and commit thefts at midnight.

Aslam would escape with snatched gold necklaces of women after opening the window and finding them asleep. If the main door were next to the window, he would break the window glass and open the door. He would target houses where milk packets and newspapers were lying outside and the main door was locked. He would also steal from houses with lights off and gates locked from outside.

Aslam would spend the stolen money on luxuries and would not return to the same area for at least a year after committing a theft in a particular police station’s jurisdiction. He had been a full-time thief for the past 20 years.

Aslam’s parents had seven children, and three of them were involved in theft. Aslam would give a portion of the stolen money to the Ajmer Dargah as an offering. After each theft, he would visit the Ajmer Dargah, pray, and then go to Goa to enjoy himself. He would then return home and give money to his family members.

Aslam would also repay the loans taken to bail him out of jail and then plan his next theft. The Vidyaranyapura police have arrested Aslam and seized gold ornaments worth Rs 22.5 lakh from him.