Ex-driver caught after stealing gold ornaments worth Rs 8 lakh in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: A former driver used a duplicate key to enter his employer’s house and steal 146 grams of gold ornaments worth over Rs 8 lakh over a few weeks. The man, Yogesh, was finally caught in the Nagarabhavi house by the victim’s elder daughter Friday.

The employer, Prakash A, told police Yogesh drove his personal car for a year before quitting the job two months ago. His family had been noticing gold ornaments disappearing from the house since April 25 whenever they stepped out. The valuables included a necklace weighing 24 grams, ring (6 grams), pair of bangles (24 grams), gold coin (12 grams), chain (16 grams) and mangalya chain (64 grams).

There were no signs of forced entry into the house. The breakthrough came around 4.30pm on May 23 after Prakash’s wife and younger daughter left for a dental clinic after locking the main door. His elder daughter, who was alone at home, heard sounds from the master bedroom cupboard. She found Yogesh opening the drawer containing gold ornaments using a duplicate key to the main door.

When confronted, Yogesh allegedly claimed he had come to meet Prakash. When the family returned home and questioned Yogesh, he remained silent. But when Prakash threatened to call police, the accused fled the spot.

Prakash’s family checked CCTV footage and found Yogesh entering the house using a duplicate key to commit the thefts. A case has been registered under BNS Section 305 (theft in a dwelling house, or means of transportation or place of worship, etc.) against Yogesh, who is absconding.