Engineering student held for stealing gadgets from grama sachivalayams in Chittoor

Tirupati: An engineering student-turned-thief, who targeted multiple grama sachivalayams and stole laptops, printers, and other electronic gadgets, has been arrested by Chittoor police.According to Chittoor SP Tushar Dudi, the accused, C Mahesh Babu (22), is a native of Kanyakapuram village in SR Puram mandal and was residing in Tirupati.Mahesh became addicted to online betting and, in a bid to fund his lavish lifestyle, began targeting grama sachivalayams. He would break into the offices at night and steal laptops, printers and other electronic items, police said.He later uploaded pictures of the stolen goods on e-commerce platforms and sold them at heavily discounted prices.Mahesh was nabbed during vehicle checks at Matam Cross on the Tirupati–Chittoor highway, where he confessed to the crimes.Further investigation revealed his involvement in around 18 theft cases across Tirupati, Chittoor and Annamayya districts.Police seized 30 printers, three laptops and a motorcycle from his possession.