Ragpicker-Turned-Thief Caught Red-Handed: Hubballi Police Recover Gold Worth Rs 5.33 Lakh
Hubballi, EXPRESS News: A 45-year-old woman who used to pick rags on the streets also resorted to stealing small items like iron rods. However, one day she decided to attempt a bigger heist—breaking into a house to steal valuables. Unfortunately for her, her luck ran out on what appears to have been her first attempt.
The accused, Ratnavva Balimed, a resident of Settlement, had been observing locked houses in the area as part of her plan. Recently, she spotted a locked house in Vijaynagar. Seizing the opportunity, she broke open the lock in broad daylight and stole gold ornaments weighing 125 grams, valued at Rs 5.33 lakh.
Balimed later approached a scrap vendor, Muktumsab Kumbi, 27, a resident of Kusugal village, to help her sell the stolen gold. However, the police, using CCTV footage and other technical support, swiftly apprehended the duo. All stolen items were recovered intact.
Addressing the media, Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar stated that the case was solved within days of the crime being reported. He added that investigations are ongoing to determine whether the pair were involved in other similar offenses.
DCP Raveesh, ACP Shivaprakash Naik, Inspector Kiran Kumar, and PSI Manjunath T.M. were also present at the press briefing.
