Bengaluru: Man who stole TV sets from lodges arrested

Bengaluru: A man claiming to be on a business trip would check into lodges in the city and flee with television sets installed in the rooms.

Vijay Ashok Kale Hiremath (32) hailing from Hyderabad in Telangana has stolen from more than a dozen lodges in Majestic. Owing to the lockdown against COVID-19, Vijay lost his job as a cab driver, and having no money, he decided to steal TVs from hotels.

He visited Bengaluru occasionally with heavy bags and would rent rooms stating that he’s a trader and flee with TVs hidden in the bags.

Vijay who stayed in Vishnu Paradise lodge on February 9, vacated the very same day when the staff found out the TV set was missing. The staff filed a complaint with Upparpet police.

On March 11, one of the staff whose salary was deducted because of the theft identified Vijay roaming near the lodge.

Assuming that the lodge owners would not file a complaint but rather deduct the amount from their staff, Vijay stole the TV sets. He sold them in Chmarajpet, Cottonpet, and nearby areas for Rs 4000 to Rs.6000. The police recovered nine LED TV sets and four cellphones from him.