Duo feigning disability' robs valuables, arrested

New Delhi: Two people were arrested on Wednesday for posing as specially abled to steal valuables from different houses.

The two accused, V. Babu (20) and Yarampally Laksmarayya (19), are from Andhra Pradesh. They used their “innocent” looks to their advantage, said a cop.

Billing their modus operandi as very novel, the officer said that they used to go door-to-door acting as deaf or dumb, he said.

“They would show a paper, talking about raising awareness for hearing disorders. They would ask for help and donation from the residents. They even had some ID cards from Andhra Pradesh that declared them specially abled,” he said.  

In most cases, “clueless residents” would go inside to get money and the burglars used to quickly enter the open house, pick up valuables like mobile phones, laptop, cash, wallets, watches before fleeing, said the police. They specially targeted PGs, flats and rented accommodations, he said.

“They didn’t target bungalows as they have a main gate and getting access to rooms inside isn’t easy. Also, many bungalows have pet dogs guarding them.” “PGs and rented accommodations usually are easily accessible,” he said.

The two accused were arrested on February 26 from near Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station and they were staying in a rented room, said the police.

Only fluent in Telugu, the accused were active in the area of Neb Sarai for the past one month. The police claimed they solved four theft cases with their arrest.

“They only knew Telugu language and it’s difficult to interrogate them. A sub-inspector from Neb Sarai Police station, Anil Rathod, who understands Telugu, has had a main role in interrogating them,” he said.

They were earlier arrested by the Gurgaon crime branch, but due to the language barrier there were no recoveries. They were even discharged by the court.

The police has recovered two stolen laptops and an iPhone from them and further probe is on.