Namakkal, Tamil Nadu: A 29-year-old man, identified as Saran from Cheranmadevi in Tirunelveli district, was arrested on Saturday for a house burglary and theft of gold jewellery worth Rs 8 lakh near Pallipalayam on December 26.
Police said Saran has over 30 previous theft cases and had recently been released on bail in December. He was apprehended by night patrol cops after behaving suspiciously.
Investigation revealed that Saran had broken into the residence of M. Vadivel (45), SPB Colony, Pallipalayam, stealing 6.5 sovereigns of gold jewellery. During inquiry, it emerged that Saran was searching for his estranged wife, who lived nearby, and gifted the stolen jewellery to her, which she later melted. Police have recovered the stolen gold.
Saran was produced in court and remanded to Salem Central Prison on Sunday.