Days after the police apprehend a thief who was operating in the nude and caught on CCTV camera stealing from residences on Parthasarathy Garden Street, Teynampet, another thief, attempted to break into a bungalow on the same street in the early hours of Monday.
The man fled after attacking a security guard. The incident has been caught on a CCTV camera installed in the building.
Sources with the Teynampet police said Monday’s incident took place around 3 a.m. at the residence of a well-known businessman. The house has entrances on J.J. Road and Parthasarathy Garden Street.
A security guard, Amar, was on duty when the thief tried to climb the wall of the building.
“Amar was doing his rounds when he spotted the man trying to break open a door. He tried to nab the suspect but he attacked Amar on his hand and fled,” said an investigator.
The businessman alerted the police and a team from the Teynampet police station reached the spot and carried out a preliminary probe. Senior officers visited the spot on Monday afternoon and carried out investigations.
It was only on Thursday afternoon that Teynampet police arrested Kumar (39), an autorickshaw driver from Pudupet, on charges of stealing LPG cylinders, clothes and other items from houses on Parthasarathy Garden Street and adjoining TTK Road.
He was identified after residents installed CCTV cameras in an attempt to end months of theft in the area. One of the residents lodged a complaint and handed over the footage to the police, following which Kumar was arrested. The suspect also allegedly attempted to molest a domestic help who was sleeping outside a house on the street last Tuesday and fled when she raised an alarm.
Following a complaint by the victim, Kumar was also booked for sexual assault, sources said.
The burglary attempt on Monday has created a sense of unease among most residents of the area.
“When the police were posted here as part of the security for Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission here, we all felt secure. Now, most households are installing CCTV cameras and deploying more security guards fearing thieves,” said a resident.
The Teyampet police have registered a case on Monday’s incident and are examining the CCTV footage produced by the businessman.
