Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jul 16: Five foreigners from Colombia in South America have been detained for their alleged involvement in a series of burglaries in Bengaluru’s posh localities. Among the houses they have broken into, it is believed that one of them is that of Former Chief Secretary Kaushik Mukherjee.

According to the police, the foreigners are claiming to be tourists and having arrived Bengaluru only 25 days back. However, the police say that their statements are inconsistent and their versions and passports need to be verified.

The police were probing the house-break attempt of silk textile showroom owner Muralikrishna in Jayanagar 5th Block. On June 22nd, the CCTV cameras installed at the house captured a gang of foreigners attempting to break into the house around 3.30 pm. However, they notice the CCTV cameras and flee. Based on this footage, the police have arrested the foreigners and they suspect they are the same gang.

The five detained includes a woman, and are being currently questioned regarding few burglaries, including that of Kaushik Mukherjee’s. The break-in at Mukherjee’s house in HSR Layout happened on June 18 and valuables consisting of gold, diamonds and expensive watches which are worth Rs 25 lakhs were stolen.

The CCTV footage shows the gang members who are well dressed and wearing scarves and caps. They are carrying tools and wearing gloves to not leave fingerprints.

The police reveal that the suspected foreign gang targets only bungalows, duplex and pent-houses. They communicate with each other in Spanish using walkie-talkies and arrive at the targeted houses in posh cars.

The police have refused to give details of the detained foreigners and say that their statements and details are being verified, before the arrest is regularized.