Mumbai: Man with 30 house break-in cases absconding since 2010, held

The accused Rahul Ram Thapa.

Unit 3 of the Mumbai crime branch on Wednesday arrested a 40-year-old who was absconding since 2010, after he was granted bail in a house break-in case.

According to the police, 30 cases of house break-in cases were registered against the accused Rahul Ram Thapa in January this year.

On Wednesday, Nitin Patil, police inspector of Unit 3, received a tip off that Thapa was on his way to attempt a theft in Airoli. "We laid a trap and Thapa was arrested. In January, 30 cases of house break-in were registered at several police stations in Navi Mumbai, Thane and Mumbai against unknown people. The description given by witnesses matched his profile and after questioning, he confessed to the crimes," Patil said.

The crime branch officials said Thapa, a fitness freak, used to travel in hired cars and target buildings that did not have CCTVs and security guards. He dressed well and introduced himself as a gym trainer so nobody would question him.

in 2008, he was arrested by the Powai police as he had 20 cases registered against him. He escaped when he was granted bail in 2010. "There were several cases of house break-in reported in Navi Mumbai and the police were on the lookout for an unidentified person, but never doubted Thapa," the official added.

"The accused was handed over to the Powai police for further investigation. They will collect details of cases from 2010 to 2019. He has also confessed to targeting residential buildings since he was out on bail," Patil said.

Thapa came to India in 2005 and tried his luck as a DJ and in the film industry. The police said that he was depressed and in need of money so he began committing crimes.

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get the latest updates