Duo held for stealing laptops from hostels on OMR

Suspects tell police they were from wealthy families, stole gadgets for fun

The duo with the stolen items

The Adyar police on Thursday arrested two persons who allegedly stole mobile phones and laptops from men’s hostels and apartments on Old Mahabalipuram Road.

Police received frequent complaints of theft of laptops and mobiles from residents in Kannagi Nagar, Thoraipakkam and Taramani. These were mostly from men’s hostels and bachelor accommodation.

Deputy Police Commissioner of Police, Adyar, R. Rohit Nathan formed special teams to nab the accused.

On Thursday, the Kannagi Nagar police arrested K. Karthick alias Gowtham, 24, and K. Manikandan, 26, of Vellore district. They stayed in a lodge at Choolaimedu and targeted the IT corridor for stealing mobiles and laptops.

Bought high-end bikes

They sold the gadgets in the grey market and purchased high-end bikes, which they used in their hometown.

During interrogation, the duo told the police that they were from wealthy families and stole gadgets for fun. Police recovered the laptops and mobile phones from them. Police advised the residents not to keep doors open while sleeping and take precautionary measures like installation of safety grille on doors and windows.

Mr. Nathan asked people to inform police before going on vacation so that they could keep a watch on their houses during night patrolling.

Hostels have been told not to leave the doors open and inmates should not give keys to their friends, he said.

A police officer said techies had the habit of sleeping on the terrace, keeping the main door or windows open during summer months.

“Though we are patrolling regularly during nights, they should be careful,” the officer said.