In a shocking incident, a school teacher from Bengaluru has been apprehended by the police for allegedly stealing gold jewellery from wedding halls across the city. The arrest sheds light on a series of thefts that targeted celebratory events, where guests and families let their guard down.
The Arrest and Recovery of Stolen Jewellery
The KR Puram police arrested the accused, identified as Manjunath K, a 38-year-old resident of Kothanur. The arrest followed a complaint filed on May 11 regarding a theft at a wedding hall in Marathahalli. According to the police, the complainant reported that gold jewellery worth approximately Rs 2.5 lakh was stolen during the event.
Acting on the complaint and utilizing technical surveillance and local intelligence, the police zeroed in on Manjunath. Upon his arrest, a search led to the recovery of the stolen jewellery from the Marathahalli case. Furthermore, the police uncovered additional stolen property, suggesting a pattern. Gold ornaments worth about Rs 4.5 lakh, suspected to be stolen from other wedding venues, were also seized from his possession.
Modus Operandi and Investigation Details
Investigations revealed a calculated modus operandi. The accused, a teacher by profession, would allegedly visit large wedding halls and marriage functions. Blending in with the crowds, he would target bags and belongings left momentarily unattended by guests engrossed in the ceremonies. His respectable profession provided a perfect cover, preventing any immediate suspicion.
The police are now working to connect him to other similar thefts reported in the city. The total value of the recovered jewellery is estimated to be around Rs 7 lakh. Authorities are interrogating the accused to ascertain the full extent of his criminal activities and to identify all the victims.
Community Reaction and Police Advice
The arrest has sent ripples through local communities, especially among families planning weddings. The incident highlights the vulnerability of such large, busy gatherings to opportunistic crimes. The KR Puram police have used this case to advise the public to exercise heightened vigilance at crowded social functions.
Police officials recommend that attendees at weddings and large events:
- Never leave valuables like handbags and jewellery boxes unattended.
- Assign a trusted family member or friend to keep watch over belongings.
- Utilize secure cloakrooms provided by the venue, if available.
- Report any suspicious individuals or activity to security personnel immediately.
The accused, Manjunath K, has been remanded to police custody as the investigation continues to unfold, potentially revealing more victims and stolen items.
