Gang of Four Bengaluru train burglars Arrested After Rs 8 Lakh Heist
BENGALURU: A gang of burglars that targeted locked houses at night by using railway routes was busted in Bengaluru. Police arrested four suspects, including a woman gym trainer, just hours after they allegedly struck a house in Doddaballapur and escaped with valuables worth Rs 8 lakh.
The arrested include Purushothama M (22), his girlfriend Soubhagya BH alias Latha (24), Darshan alias Sathya (20), and Chandru (24). Police caught them at a flat they had rented in Kudlu off Hosur Road only 12 days earlier.
According to investigators, the group had a criminal history and was recently released on bail in another burglary case in Tumakuru. The police team, led by inspector Sadiq Pasha, tracked them down and recovered stolen ornaments, silver anklets, and electronic items, including AirPods, stolen from a newly married couple’s home.
The Unusual Modus Operandi
Police revealed a unique and well-planned method used by the burglars. The three men traveled by night trains to identify target areas. They got down at random railway stations, switched off their mobile phones, and left their slippers along the tracks before moving into residential areas.
They would walk over a kilometre, scout for locked houses, and break into them. Each man targeted one house, completing the burglary within 10 minutes before rushing back to retrieve their slippers and board another train. This method helped them evade suspicion and reduce the chances of being traced.
Investigators added that the group even used a train-tracking app to plan their movements and select routes for burglary sprees.
Role of the Woman Gym Trainer
While the men carried out the robberies, Soubhagya, a gym trainer, played a crucial supporting role. Police said she helped them rent houses under false pretenses, dispose of stolen valuables through local contacts, and even arrange lawyers when the gang faced criminal charges.
Her involvement was key in sustaining the gang’s operations across multiple states. Police disclosed that she had previously been detained but was sent to a shelter home, from where she fled. Later, she lodged a complaint against police officers, alleging harassment and wrongful seizure of her jewelry. However, her claims were found to be false after an inquiry.
Habitual Offenders With Criminal Histories
Police records show that the accused were habitual offenders.
- Purushothama, who worked as a caterer, was previously involved in a murder case as a juvenile.
- Darshan, a BBA dropout working as a gig worker, faces charges in at least 10 cases.
- Chandru, a school dropout employed in a garage, also had multiple cases registered against him.
The gang had operated not only in Bengaluru but also in Hubballi, Dharwad, Tumakuru, and even in Telangana. In Tumakuru, they reportedly looted gold worth Rs 12 lakh. The stolen ornaments were quickly sold, and the group spent the entire sum on a luxury trip to Kerala, finishing the money within just eight days.
Recent Burglary in Doddaballapur
The breakthrough came after the group allegedly targeted the home of Divyashree G, a resident of TB Narayanappa Badavane near TB Cross in Doddaballapura. On September 16, Divyashree and her husband were away at her parental home when the burglars struck.
By midnight on September 17, police tracked the suspects to their rented Kudlu flat and arrested them. The stolen valuables were recovered and returned to the couple. Officials said the arrests have helped solve multiple burglary cases across districts.
Growing Challenges for Police
The case highlights the evolving tactics of urban burglars and the challenges faced by police. Using railways as escape routes allowed the gang to operate across districts while evading CCTV networks and phone tracking. Moreover, the involvement of a female accomplice to manage finances and logistics reflects the increasingly sophisticated planning in burglary networks.
Officials said further investigations are underway to uncover the full extent of their operations and identify others who may have assisted in selling the stolen valuables.