GAURIBIDANUR: In a strange incident, one of the thieves who broke into a locked house in Gauribidanur town, Chikkaballapur district, was found fast asleep on the floor hours later, unable to find his way out after the burglary.The incident unfolded around 12.30am Sunday in a quiet neighbourhood near the old RTO Layout. Neighbours noticed two men climbing onto the roof of the house of Premanath, who runs an eatery in the town.
Premanath had left for Hyderabad with family after locking the house. The intruders cut open an asbestos sheet on the roof to gain entry. By the time neighbours gathered and surrounded the house, one of the intruders managed to escape. The second man, identified as Devaraj, allegedly got trapped inside. Police said Devaraj, who was intoxicated, was unable to climb back through the roof opening and failed to find another exit from the locked house.Believing that both thieves were still inside, residents raised an alarm and sealed the damaged roof from outside. Locals kept watch through the night to prevent any escape attempt. Unnoticed by them, Devaraj remained inside the house and eventually fell asleep on the floor. Premanath, meanwhile, rushed back to Gauribidanur around 8.30am Monday. When he unlocked the door and entered with a few neighbours, they were shocked to find Devaraj asleep as if nothing had happened. Devaraj later admitted to taking Rs 5,000 in cash from the house, which he returned. He claimed unpaid wages drove him to steal, stating he’d earlier worked as a painter.Devaraj, however, denied knowledge of any accomplice even as neighbours insisted they had seen two men on the roof. Gauribidanur police are investigating the incident, including the mysterious escape of the second intruder.
