Hyderabad: Begumpet police arrested a thief who had been targeting elderly women living alone and recovered gold jewellery worth ₹8 lakh and a stolen motorbike. The details were shared during a press conference held at Begumpet police station by North Zone DCP Rashmi Perumal, ACP Gopalakrishna Murthy, Inspector Prasad Rao, and DI Madhu.
According to the police, investigations are underway to determine the accused’s involvement in other thefts as well.
The accused, identified as Papani Kranti Kumar (32) from Tirupati, initially made a living by running small businesses. However, he became addicted to a lavish lifestyle and gambling, eventually resorting to easier but illegal means to earn money. He targeted houses in Tirupati and Hyderabad where elderly women lived alone, committing thefts by sneaking into homes with open doors.
Riding a Honda CB Shine bike, he would move around various colonies and slums, stealing gold chains from the necks of unsuspecting elderly women. Despite being arrested and sent to jail previously, he continued his criminal activities after his release.
Recently, he was identified through CCTV footage following a theft at Mayuri Marg, where he stole a gold chain from an elderly woman named Kamala while she was asleep. Acting swiftly, Begumpet police apprehended Kranti Kumar and recovered stolen gold jewellery worth ₹8 lakh and the motorbike he used.
Following the incident, Hyderabad police urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals in their neighbourhoods immediately.
