Woman learns lock-picking online, caught after Rs 70-lakh loot from 5 homes

A 25-year-old woman was arrested by Hyderabad police for her suspected involvement in five house burglary cases across the city and neighbouring areas. The accused, identified as Paga Jaya, allegedly wore a burqa to conceal her identity and used a hand-cutting machine to break house locks before stealing gold, silver ornaments and cash.Uppal police recovered around 48 tolas (560 grams) of gold, 1.5 kg of silver articles, cash and an iPhone 17 from her possession. The total value of the recovered property is estimated at around Rs 70 lakh.According to the police investigation, Jaya identified houses where residents were away and targeted them during their absence. She allegedly carried a hand-cutting machine in a backpack and used it to break the main door locks and cupboards.Police said she wore a burqa, gloves and other clothing to avoid being identified by residents and CCTV cameras. She had reportedly learnt house-breaking techniques through online videos. BURGLARY AT NEW BHARAT NAGAR COLONYThe incident that led to her arrest was reported at the residence of Gangam Bhaskar Reddy, 55, in New Bharat Nagar Colony under Uppal police station limits.On October 26, Reddy and his family locked their house and left for Sri Mallanna Swamy Temple in Komuravelli. The accused took advantage of their absence, broke the door lock and entered the house. She reportedly forced open cupboards in the master bedroom and children's bedroom before stealing gold ornaments, silver articles and cash.The theft came to light on October 27 when the family's domestic help arrived at the house and noticed that the locks had been broken. She alerted the family, following which Reddy returned and lodged a complaint with Uppal police.Police registered a case under Sections 331(4) and 305(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launched an investigation.CCTV FOOTAGE HELPS POLICE IDENTIFY ACCUSEDDuring the investigation, police examined CCTV footage from the locality and surrounding areas. The footage showed a woman wearing a black burqa and gloves and carrying a light-blue backpack. She was seen moving around the targeted premises and attempting to break the locks.Based on CCTV footage, technical evidence and surveillance, police identified the suspect as Paga Jaya.A joint team comprising Uppal police personnel and the Central Crime Station (CCS), Uppal team arrested her near the LB Nagar route bus stop at Uppal X Roads around 8 am on October 31.During questioning, Jaya reportedly confessed to her involvement in multiple house burglaries. Police suspect her involvement in five cases registered under the jurisdictions of Uppal, Medipally and Jagathgirigutta police stations, as well as Bhadradri Kothagudem II Town police station.ACCUSED LEARNT BURGLARY TECHNIQUES THROUGH ONLINE VIDEOSAccording to the police, Jaya is a native of Palvancha in Bhadradri Kothagudem district and was living in New Bharat Nagar Colony in Uppal.She discontinued her first-year BTech course at Anubose College in Kothagudem due to financial difficulties. She moved to Hyderabad in 2023 and married Gogulothu Sivakumar in 2024.Investigators found that she had learnt house-breaking techniques through online videos. She planned the burglaries after identifying houses where residents were away and used tools to break locks and gain entry.Police also suspect that she sold or pledged some of the stolen jewellery and used the money for personal expenses.RS 70 LAKH WORTH OF PROPERTY RECOVEREDPolice recovered the following items from the accused:- Gold ornaments weighing approximately 48 tolas (560 grams).- Silver articles weighing around 1.5 kg.- Cash.- One iPhone 17.The total estimated value of the recovered property is around Rs 70 lakh.Jaya was arrested on October 31 and remanded to judicial custody. Police are continuing their investigation to establish her involvement in all five cases, trace the disposal of stolen jewellery and identify any additional property taken from other victims.The operation was carried out by Uppal police and the CCS team under the supervision of senior officers of the Malkajgiri Commissionerate.- Ends