Bengaluru thief teaches 16-year-old son how to rob houses to feed 3 wives, 9 kids

Authorities have recovered gold and silver linked to nine separate cases. (Representational image)

A 35-year-old man in Bengaluru with three wives and nine children has been arrested by Electronics City for a series of burglaries, during which he allegedly involved his 16-year-old son. Babajan, who was jobless, allegedly resorted to theft to support his large family, The Times of India reported.

Police stated that Babajan would target houses left open or with unlocked doors, particularly watching for women distracted on terraces or speaking with neighbours. The duo's crime spree ended after police identified them using CCTV footage.

Sharing the details of one of the attacks, the police said that on May 7, the father and son stole valuables worth Rs 4.6 lakh from the house of a 56-year-old woman. Rojamma had gone to her terrace to dry clothes, leaving her ground-floor door open. Babajan allegedly signalled his son to enter, and the teenager reportedly stole gold earrings, silverware, and cash within 20 minutes.

Babajan, who has a history of similar offences over the past eight years, confessed to training his son for these daylight heists. He reportedly involved the teen to exploit leniency in the law towards minors.

The police said that Babajan's wives live separately in Srirangapatna, Anekal, and Chikkaballapura. He visits them when convenient, The Times of India reported.

Police inspector Naveen GM and his team apprehended Babajan in Mylasandra on May 13. Authorities have since recovered 188 grams of gold, 550 grams of silver, and a two-wheeler, linking them to nine separate theft cases.