Burglar Trapped and Asleep in Locked Gauribidanur House
In a bizarre turn of events in Gauribidanur town, located in Chikkaballapur district, a thief who broke into a locked residence was found fast asleep on the floor hours later, unable to escape after the burglary. The incident, which has left locals and authorities puzzled, highlights a strange case of criminal incompetence.
Details of the Midnight Break-In
The unusual episode began around 12:30 AM on Sunday in a quiet neighborhood near the old RTO Layout. Neighbors observed two men climbing onto the roof of the house belonging to Premanath, a local eatery owner who had left for Hyderabad with his family after securely locking the property. The intruders cut open an asbestos sheet on the roof to gain entry into the vacant home.
As neighbors quickly gathered and surrounded the house to prevent the thieves from fleeing, one of the intruders managed to escape under the cover of darkness. However, the second man, identified as Devaraj, allegedly became trapped inside. According to police reports, Devaraj was intoxicated at the time, which impaired his ability to climb back through the roof opening or locate another exit from the securely locked house.
Vigilant Neighbors and an Unnoticed Sleeper
Believing that both thieves were still inside the premises, residents raised an alarm and took proactive measures by sealing the damaged roof from the outside. Throughout the night, locals maintained a vigilant watch to thwart any potential escape attempts. Unbeknownst to them, Devaraj remained inside the house, where he eventually succumbed to fatigue and fell asleep on the floor.
Premanath, upon being informed of the break-in, rushed back to Gauribidanur around 8:30 AM on Monday. When he unlocked the door and entered the house accompanied by a few neighbors, they were shocked to discover Devaraj peacefully asleep, as if the burglary had never occurred. The scene was both startling and surreal for all involved.
Confession and Investigation
Upon being awakened, Devaraj later admitted to stealing Rs 5,000 in cash from the house, which he promptly returned to the owner. He explained that unpaid wages had driven him to commit the theft, revealing that he had previously worked as a painter and was struggling financially. However, Devaraj denied any knowledge of an accomplice, despite neighbors insisting they had seen two men on the roof during the incident.
The Gauribidanur police are currently investigating the case, with a focus on the mysterious escape of the second intruder. Authorities are working to piece together the events of that night and determine the full scope of the burglary. This incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of crime and the importance of community vigilance in residential areas.
