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Robber who raided 40 homes arrested with accomplice
View(s):A 21-year-old youth who allegedly raided more than 40 homes late at night was arrested along with his teenage lover in the possession of 35 sovereigns of gold at a safe house in Navagamuwa-Kaduwela yesterday, police said.
The suspect, a heroin addict, was on the run for nearly an year and court had issued 16 different warrants for his arrest, Navagamuwa Police Officer in Charge (OIC), Inspector (IP) Aloka Bandara said.
He said the suspect allegedly raided the houses after midnight when the occupants were asleep or away and stole mainly jewellery and cash.
Investigations have revealed that he gained access to the homes after forcibly opening a window or a door with the aid of a screwdriver and used the money to maintain his drug habit of Rs. 15,000 a day.
Following the arrest investigators were able to track down a house and property purchased by the suspect in Pilimathalawa, several bank accounts and vehicles including a three wheeler which he had loaned his father, IP Bandara said.
An undisclosed amount of foreign currency was also seized from the suspect who is believed to have been assisted by a motorcycle gang that is evading arrest.
The suspect and his live-in girl friend booked in at cheap motels in the night fearing arrest if they slept at home. The pair was eventually picked up from a motel in Navagamuwa following a tip-off by staff, IP Bandara added.
Six other people described as gold merchants who purchased the stolen bullion from the suspect were also arrested and are currently being questioned, he said.
The suspect had raided homes in the Navagamuwa, Kelaniya, Kaduwela, Mulleriyawa, Sapugaskanda and Athurugiriya areas, according to IP Bandara.
In a related arrest three people were taken into custody at a location in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia in connection with eight house break-ins in the area, police said.
They said stolen goods ranging from jewellery to sophisticated electronic equipment and other valuables were recovered following the arrest.