City police have arrested a Hyderabad-based software professional for allegedly carrying out a series of night-time burglaries across multiple neighbourhoods in Visakhapatnam, recovering gold, silver, cash and a luxury car purchased using stolen money.
The accused, identified as Acchi Mahesh Reddy alias Sunny, originally from Kakinada, was taken into custody on February 7 following a detailed technical probe and CCTV analysis. Police said he is linked to 26 house break-ins reported from areas including Gajuwaka, Arilova, Malkapuram, Pendurthi and Duvvada.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crimes) K. Lata Madhuri said officers recovered 699 grams of gold, 3.8 kg of silver, burglary tools and a BMW car, with the total value of seized property exceeding Rs 15 lakh. Overall losses across all cases are estimated at around Rs 25 lakh, including more than 1,080 grams of gold, nearly 6.3 kg of silver and Rs 40,500 in cash.
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Police said the accused primarily targeted locked houses during late-night hours. Investigators believe he conducted reconnaissance during the daytime, identifying vulnerable properties before striking after dark.
“He was careful not to leave fingerprints or obvious clues at crime scenes,” a senior officer said, adding that his arrest was made near Arch Road in Gajuwaka after weeks of surveillance.
The case first surfaced on October 14, 2025, when a Gajuwaka resident reported that his house had been burgled while his family was away. Following the complaint, police registered a case under Sections 331(4) and 305(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and launched a citywide investigation, eventually linking multiple thefts to a single suspect through CCTV footage and technical evidence.
During questioning, police also discovered that the two-wheeler used in several offences belonged to another individual named Mahesh, who was unaware that his vehicle had been misused for criminal activity.
Officials said the accused allegedly began his latest crime spree after the Sankranti festival and had been involved in similar burglaries last year as well. Police records show he has a long criminal history, having first been sent to a juvenile home in Kakinada at the age of 15. A dossier criminal sheet already exists against him there.
Authorities said a rowdy sheet will now be opened in Visakhapatnam, and the accused has been placed under preventive detention for one year to curb further offences.
Investigators are continuing efforts to trace additional stolen property and verify whether the accused acted alone or had logistical support. Statements from victims across affected localities are being recorded, and forensic teams are examining seized tools to match them with break-in patterns.
Police officials said the arrest has brought relief to residents in several neighbourhoods that had witnessed a spike in night burglaries over recent months. Additional patrols have been deployed in vulnerable pockets, while residents have been advised to improve home security measures and report suspicious activity promptly.
Further legal proceedings are underway.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
