‘Super thief’ strikes in Kerala, police on alert

Surveillance camera image of Bunty Chor released by the Kerala police.

By Asharf Padanna/Thiruvananthapuram

Police in Kerala have identified television reality show celebrity Devender Singh aka Bunty Chor as the main suspect in a high-tech heist in Thiruvananthapuram last week.

Allegedly involved in more than 500 theft cases across major cities in India, Bunty’s story was made into a popular Bollywood movie Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye.

He also participated in the fourth edition of reality show Bigg Boss.

His image was captured by one of the surveillance cameras installed inside the house of K Venugopalan Nair, a non-resident Indian businessman.

Police have sent the image across the country. The manger of a hotel in which he stayed for three days planning and executing the burglary identified him. Bunty had given a copy of his driving licence issued in New Delhi carrying his name and address.

“We are working on some definite information. We hope the surveillance camera footage which was saved in computerised storage system will help crack the case soon,” Police Commissioner P Vijayan said. “I’m not in a position to elaborate on the investigations.”

The burglar broke the high-security impact-proof windowpanes, destroyed the surveillance cameras and the remote control system of the gate and left with a luxury car fitted with GPRS, a laptop, gold and other valuables. He also took away the mobile phone connected to the GPRS.

The police said the house had a modern security system complete with night-vision enabled perimeter surveillance cameras and an intruder warning system responsive to sound, movement and application of force on windows and doors.

Nair was at his work station until 1am before going to sleep. The burglar entered the house as the family members were asleep, rummaged through cupboards and shelves and located the keys of the car and other valuables. Some of his movements were captured by an overhead camera.

“He avoided the areas under the burglary alarm and broke the windowpanes to get in,” said Nair.

The suspect arrived in a stolen car which he abandoned outside the house before zipping away in Nair’s SUV. The incident came to light when the family woke up in the morning.

“He checked in at 2.40pm on Friday and stayed out most of the time. He returned early Monday morning and checked out at 6.50am,” said L Valsamma, the manager of the Devi Lodge in the city where he stayed.

“When we asked him for identity proof, he showed his driving licence. He was all alone.”