Vegetable vendors moonlight as burglars, caught

Coimbatore: The rural police on Thursday arrested two history-sheeters, who posed as vegetable vendors to find locked houses at Thondamuthur, Madukkarai and Perur and stole valuables under the cover of darkness.
They were identified as P Karuppasamy, 47, a native of Nadumuthalaikulam near Usilampatti in Madurai and M Krishnakumar, 43, of Walayar in Palakkad, Kerala.

“Karuppasamy had met Krishnakumar in the Madurai Central Prison, where they were lodged in connection with murder cases. After coming out of jail, Krishnakumar, who owned a Maruti Omni van, began to sell vegetables in the car. He used to visit Madukkarai, Thondamuthur and Perur frequently. But Karuppasamy got involved in a series of house break-ins in Namakkal, Madurai and Tirupur and was facing more than 20 cases. Last year, Krishnakumar invited his friend to help him out in the business. The duo used to find locked houses while conducting business during the day. They used to go back to the place in another car owned by Krishnakumar in the night. They used to park the vehicle on the street before committing the deed. They thought that police won’t suspect them if they were travelling in the car,” a police officer said.

But their luck ran out on Thursday when a police team spotted them at Perur and gave chase. Krishnakumar, who ran from the team, fell down and suffered fractures on his hand and leg. He was admitted in the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital. Both of them were arrested and remanded in judicial custody.

Police have seized 22 sovereigns of gold ornaments and the car from them.