In a significant breakthrough, the Pahadishareef police in Rachakonda successfully apprehended two house burglars on October 2, recovering an impressive haul of stolen property valued at ₹17.5 lakh. The recovered items paint a picture of their audacious activities, including 170 grams of gold ornaments, 250 grams of silver articles, three motorcycles, a collection of 36 branded watches, a smart TV, and even tools like a mechanical drill and a screwdriver.
The arrested individuals were identified as Kattela Anoop Kumar, who also went by aliases such as Tinku, Niteesh, or Raju, and Md Afroz Khan, known as Iffu. According to a Pahadishareef police officer, Anoop Kumar boasts an extensive criminal record, having been involved in 50 property offenses across Hyderabad. He was only released from prison in August of this year but swiftly returned to his illicit activities. His accomplice, Afroz Khan, a close relative, also has a history of crime, with five previous property offense cases against him in CCS Hyderabad and Santosh Nagar areas. Authorities have characterized both men as habitual and notorious offenders.
Their modus operandi involved meticulously targeting locked houses in quiet residential colonies. Anoop Kumar would conduct daytime reconnaissance, identifying suitable properties. Under the cover of night, he would then return, using an iron rod to force open doors, cupboards, and lockers. The gold stolen during these burglaries was subsequently passed to Afroz Khan, who was responsible for selling it to unknown individuals in Hyderabad, with the profits being split between the two.
Recently, the duo was implicated in at least two burglaries within the Balapur and Pahadishareef police station jurisdictions. Beyond these, police have managed to link them to an additional 23 burglary cases, thanks to a combination of technical evidence and precise intelligence gathering, solidifying the case against these seasoned criminals.