MANDYA: Police in Mandya district have arrested two habitual and notorious thieves involved in a series of chain-snatching and house-burglary cases under the jurisdiction of the Kirugavalu police station. The arrest has brought relief to residents of the region, who had been living in fear due to a spike in theft-related incidents over the past several months. The accused, who cleverly disguised themselves as daily wage labourers, were found to have an extensive criminal background, with involvement in more than 30 theft cases across multiple districts.
The arrested accused have been identified as Saddham Hussain and Syed Ayub, both natives of Mysuru. According to police officials, the duo’s criminal history was so extensive that even experienced investigators were shocked by the sheer number of cases registered against them. Despite being repeatedly arrested, convicted, and sent to jail in the past, the accused allegedly returned to criminal activities soon after their release, making theft their primary source of income.
Police said the accused would move from place to place, claiming to be daily wage workers in search of employment. This disguise helped them avoid suspicion while conducting surveillance in residential areas. However, investigations revealed that they were not genuinely engaged in labour work but were instead committing thefts to fund what police described as a “carefree and lavish lifestyle.”
The duo came under police radar following a recent chain-snatching incident in the Kirugavalu police station limits, where a woman was robbed of her gold chain in broad daylight. Based on a complaint filed by the victim, police launched a detailed investigation, reviewed CCTV footage from nearby areas, and collected technical and human intelligence. These efforts eventually led to the identification and arrest of the accused.
During interrogation, the accused reportedly made several startling revelations about their modus operandi. Police revealed that Saddham Hussain and Syed Ayub specifically targeted lone women, whom they considered easy and low-risk targets. The accused would closely observe women walking alone on deserted roads or returning home during off-peak hours before striking swiftly and fleeing the scene on motorcycles.
In addition to chain-snatching, the duo were also involved in house burglaries. Police said the accused would survey neighbourhoods during the day to identify locked houses or homes where residents were away for extended periods. They would then return at night or in the early morning hours to break into houses and steal valuables, mainly gold ornaments and cash.
Investigations have revealed that the accused’s criminal activities were not limited to Mandya district. They were also involved in theft cases in Mysuru and Davanagere districts. Police officials stated that coordination with police teams from these districts is underway to verify the accused’s involvement in additional unsolved cases.
Despite being arrested in as many as 38 theft cases in the past and serving jail terms, the accused showed no signs of reform. Police noted that in 2025 alone, the duo were involved in at least eight theft cases, highlighting their continued criminal behaviour soon after being released from prison. This has once again raised concerns about repeat offenders and the challenges law enforcement agencies face in curbing habitual crime.
Following their arrest, police recovered stolen property worth approximately ₹31.98 lakh from the accused. The seized items include 253 grams of gold ornaments, 17 grams of silver articles, and two motorcycles — a Pulsar and an Axis bike — allegedly used to commit thefts and facilitate quick getaways. The recovery of such a large quantity of stolen property is expected to help police link the accused to multiple pending cases.
