Serial house burglar arrested, police recover gold, silver, and cash worth ₹20 lakh

A habitual offender linked to a string of house burglaries across multiple police jurisdictions was arrested in the early hours of Thursday at Shalibanda by the Pahadi Shareef police.

Police have recovered 13 tolas of gold, 41 tolas of silver ornaments, ₹50,000 in cash, and two motorcycles from him. The total value of the seized property is estimated at around ₹20 lakh.

The accused, identified as Allam Shiva, 27, had been operating in areas under both Rachakonda and Cyberabad Commissionerates and is believed to be the kingpin behind at least seven break-ins, said the Commissioner of Rachakonda police, G. Sudheer Babu.

“Shiva, a native of Mahabubnagar district, had moved to Hyderabad in search of work. He settled in Bathukamma Kunta, Amberpet, but soon got addicted to ganja, alcohol, cigarettes, and online betting. He turned to theft to fund his vices. He was earlier booked in at least nine theft cases between 2023 and 2024, and was last released from prison in October 2024,” said the Commissioner.

The latest case that led to his arrest dates back to February 23, when Shiva allegedly burgled a farmer’s home in Harshaguda village. “Exploiting the family’s habit of hiding house keys on the gate pillar and cupboard keys under clothes, he made away with ₹59,000 in cash, gold, and silver ornaments, and fled on his bike, thoughtfully returning the keys to their original spots to avoid immediate suspicion,” added the officer.

Following an investigation, officers from the Rachakonda police traced Shiva’s movements and picked him up from Shalibanda at around 6 a.m. on Thursday, as he was reportedly heading out to dispose of the stolen goods. He has confessed to burglaries reported in Pahadishareef, Shamshabad, Hayathnagar, and LB Nagar. Apart from jewellery and cash, police said that he used part of the loot to fund his online gambling.

Published - May 29, 2025 07:43 pm IST