The Thampanoor police have arrested a person who had stumped investigators across the city for years after he managed to slip away from burglary scenes without leaving a fingerprint. The modus operandi that Shahul Hamid, alias Kunjali Babu, adopted was quite simple – wear socks on his hands.
Based at Kilikkollur in Kollam, Shahul wore socks on his hands while burgling residences and shops, and managed to escape without leaving any prints.
However, the police had began to sense the modus operandi, and it was during an investigation into a recent burglary at a prominent garment store on MG Road here that the police began doubting Shahul, an accused in various other cases.
In full gear
Almost at the same time, a team led by Sheen Tharayil, Circle Inspector, found Shahul loitering near an ATM at Pazhavangady. On being detained, he was found in full gear, ready for another theft, with his socks hidden in his inner wear. On interrogation, he is said to have confessed to burglaries at the MG Road garment store, a house at Vattiyurkavu, and a forest quarters at PTP Nagar.
Other cases
There were 12 other cases registered against him at the Poojappura, Medical College, Karamana, Museum, and Thampanoor police stations. Shahul, who earlier lived at Karamana in the city, is also an accused in a case related to smuggling ganja into the Poojappura Central Jail, Mr. Tharayil said.
Mr. Tharayil was assisted by sub-inspectors S. Ajayakumar and J. Antony in nabbing the accused. Shahul was produced in court and remanded in judicial custody.
