Hennur: Police arrest woman for serial thefts using keys left in shoe racks

Team Udayavani, Jan 16, 2025, 1:18 PM IST

In a significant breakthrough, Hennur police have arrested a woman involved in a series of house thefts using keys left in shoe racks and shoes outside homes. The accused, identified as Jayanti (35), is a resident of Hennur and has been linked to 31 theft cases across the city.

Police recovered 110 grams of gold jewelry worth ₹7.80 lakh from the accused. Jayanti, who is married with four daughters, admitted to committing the thefts while posing as a domestic worker. Her husband reportedly works on small odd jobs.

Jayanti would observe the houses where residents left keys in shoe racks or near windows. She would later use these keys to gain entry and steal valuables. Recently, she targeted a house in the Hennur police jurisdiction, where she used a key left near the window to steal 450 grams of gold jewelry and ₹1,300 in cash before fleeing.

Jayanti has a history of thefts and was previously involved in multiple cases while residing in Bharatinagar. After relocating to Hennur with her family a few months ago, she continued her illegal activities.

Hennur police, led by a dedicated team, uncovered her modus operandi after investigating a series of complaints. Officers noted that she took advantage of residents’ negligence in securing their keys.

Police confirmed that Jayanti is connected to 31 theft cases filed across various police stations in Bengaluru. Her methodical approach and ability to evade detection for so long have raised concerns about similar thefts in the area.