Bengaluru Father-Son Duo Nabbed for Rs 80 Lakh Computer Component Heist
In a shocking incident in Bengaluru, a 21-year-old man and his 45-year-old father have been arrested for orchestrating a sophisticated theft of high-value computer components worth approximately Rs 80 lakh from a shop in HBR Layout. The accused, identified as Hemanth M and his father Manjunath M, residents of T Channaiah Layout in Nagawara, are now in the custody of the Govindapura police.
Disguised Entry and Swift Operation
The theft occurred on the night of March 14 at Nitish Computers, where Hemanth, wearing a burqa and concealing his face with a dupatta, gained entry into the shop. According to police reports, he used duplicate keys to open the shutter at around 2 am, swiftly stealing 444 RAM units and 279 SSDs packed in carton boxes, along with Rs 2.4 lakh in cash. The entire operation was completed in just six minutes, with Hemanth wearing gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints.
Shop owner Raghu G discovered the break-in when he returned at 11 am on March 15, finding the cupboard lock broken and the items missing. He had shut the store at 1.40 am the previous night. CCTV footage installed in the shop played a crucial role in the investigation, capturing the burqa-clad accused entering and exiting the premises.
Motivation Rooted in Personal Grudge
The investigation revealed that the theft was driven by personal animosity. Hemanth, who had completed his IInd year PUC, was previously employed as a technician at Raghu's shop but was dismissed a month prior to the incident. His younger brother also worked at the same establishment. Over the years, Raghu had a close relationship with the family, having lived as a tenant in Manjunath's house during a financially difficult period. As Raghu's circumstances improved—he set up his own shop, bought a plot, and built a home—he provided jobs to both of Manjunath's sons as a gesture of goodwill.
However, after Hemanth's dismissal, he and his father reportedly turned against Raghu, disregarding the past support. Police stated that Manjunath assisted in the theft by dropping Hemanth near the shop on their scooter and waiting nearby. After the heist, the duo fled the scene on the same vehicle.
Methodical Planning and Recovery
The theft was meticulously planned. Hemanth was aware that Raghu kept the shop keys in his scooter's storage box. On March 13, he borrowed Raghu's scooter under the pretext of fetching an LPG gas cylinder, during which he got duplicate keys made. These keys were later used to execute the theft.
Following the incident, Hemanth was arrested in Chanakya Layout, Nagawara, on March 15. He confessed to the crime and implicated his father, leading to Manjunath's subsequent arrest. Police recovered the entire haul of stolen computer components from Manjunath's grocery shop, ensuring no loss of the high-value items.
This case highlights a stark betrayal of trust, where a former employee and his family member exploited their intimate knowledge of the shop's operations for financial gain. The Govindpura police, led by inspector Kiran PB, have been commended for their swift action in solving the case and recovering the stolen goods.
