A thief who allegedly stole jewellery worth Rs 8 lakh from an Andheri East home last year was nabbed after he tried to strike the same house again last month. According to the complainant and MIDC police, the accused was employed as a domestic helper at another flat in the same building, giving him easy access to the premises.

Investigators allege that the accused, Parshuram Mandal, 43, first targeted the home after noticing accumulated flower deliveries. Following this, police believe Mandal gained entry on two instances using a key that he may have either cloned from a spare left with Mandal’s employer or had chanced upon. “Mandal feigned innocence to evade suspicion. He has even deceived the court this way to get bail,” alleged a police officer.