Woman who used minor for house burglaries arrested in Bengaluru

The Sampigehalli police have arrested a 45-year-old habitual offender, who along with a minor girl, was allegedly involved in a series of house burglaries across Bengaluru.

The accused has been identified as Reshma K. Babu, 45, a resident of Modi Garden. She was tracked following a house burglary reported on January 13, in Sampigehalli police limits.

According to the complaint, the house owner had locked his residence in the morning to drop his children at school, while his wife left for work. When he returned home, he found the door lock broken and valuables stolen.

The accused allegedly decamped with gold ornaments weighing about 30 grams, silver articles weighing about 60 grams, and ₹15,000 in cash.

A special team was formed to investigate the case. On January 14, police secured Reshma from a house in Vinayaka Nagar, where she was found hiding along with a minor girl.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to her role in the burglary. Based on her statement, the police recovered 3.217 grams of gold ornaments, 80 grams of silver articles, and seized a scooter used for committing the crime, which was found to be fitted with an altered registration number.

The police revealed that the accused would disguise herself and the minor as men to evade detection and CCTV camera surveillance.

Investigation further revealed that Reshma was the caretaker of the juvenile, whom she allegedly trained and used for committing thefts and burglaries across the city.

The police said they analysed footage from over 100 CCTV cameras before zeroing in on the accused.

Further probe revealed that multiple cases have already been registered against the accused and the minor at Hebbagodi, Adugodi, Bommanahalli, Nelamangala, Jalahalli, Kothanuru, and RMC Yard police stations.

Both the accused woman and the minor have been produced before the court. Further investigation is under way to trace additional stolen property.