Murder Convict on Parole Impersonates Police Officer in Bold Bengaluru Robbery
In a shocking incident in Bengaluru, a 36-year-old murder convict on parole brazenly impersonated a police officer to carry out a high-value robbery at the residence of a realtor in Byadarahalli, located in the north-western part of the city. The convict, identified as K Nagendra, donned a khaki uniform and gained entry under the pretext of checking CCTV footage for an old case, ultimately robbing the homeowner, H Hombalaiah, and his wife of Rs 20 lakh in cash, approximately 670 grams of gold, and other valuables.
Details of the Deceptive Crime
The incident occurred on the evening of February 16, 2024. Hombalaiah, who had installed CCTV cameras outside his main door as a precaution against miscreants targeting independent houses, typically conversed with visitors via video call and only opened the door remotely or manually after verification. That evening, the calling bell rang, and a man in a khaki uniform introduced himself as a sub-inspector from Yelahanka police station, claiming he needed to review CCTV footage related to an old case. Trusting the imposter, Hombalaiah opened the door remotely, allowing Nagendra to enter.
Once inside, Nagendra inquired if Hombalaiah could download the footage, and upon receiving a negative response, he called his three associates who were waiting outside in a car. Two of them entered the house while the third remained in the vehicle. The gang then held the couple at knifepoint, gagged them, and demanded to see cash and valuables. They ransacked the cupboards before fleeing with the loot.
Police Investigation and Arrests
Hombalaiah filed a complaint with Byadarahalli police, describing the robbery by a gang led by a man in a "khaki uniform." Deputy Commissioner of Police (North West) Dr L Nagesh stated that upon reaching the crime scene, police collected scientific and circumstantial evidence, including CCTV footage that captured the suspects' car. Analysis revealed one suspect as Nagendra, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence for a 2016 case in Tiptur, Tumakuru district.
Police contacted Hindalaga prison in Belagavi and discovered that Nagendra had been on a 30-day parole, walking out on February 9 and returning to his cell on February 17, the day after the robbery. During questioning, Nagendra confessed and provided details leading to the arrest of two more suspects from Shivamogga: Sheik Ahmed, 31, and Jameer Chandpeer alias Bachha, 33. A fourth suspect, Babajan alias Tomato, 27, also from Shivamogga, is currently in the custody of Malleshwaram police for a theft case and will be taken into custody soon.
So far, police have recovered Rs 10 lakh in cash and 429 grams of gold ornaments from the accused.
Motivation Behind the Plot
According to an investigating officer, Nagendra, who hails from Shivamogga, had known the other suspects for a long time. A stamp vendor from the city, a common friend of Nagendra and Hombalaiah, was aware that Hombalaiah kept large amounts of cash and gold at home, though he never shared this information with malicious intent. Nagendra learned of this and decided to rob Hombalaiah, providing details to his associates. They surveilled Hombalaiah for over two weeks, keeping in touch with Nagendra. When Nagendra came out on parole in the second week of February, he enlisted the others and executed the robbery.
Nagendra, popularly known as 'Naga' inside prison, is also facing 16 other criminal cases, including robbery and dacoity, highlighting his extensive criminal history. This incident raises serious concerns about parole misuse and security measures for high-risk convicts.
