Train trail leads police to suspected house burglar in Malappuram

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A man who had kept residents of Parappanangadi and neighbouring areas like Neduva, Haripuram and Kuppivalavu on edge with a series of house burglaries was arrested by the police on Tuesday night (September 15).

Pradeep alias Mani, also known as Moorkhan Pradeep, a native of Puthentheru at Tanur, was arrested at the Parappanangadi railway station around midnight after police kept watch on late-night trains.

The breakthrough came after a burglary near Government High School, Neduva, on September 14. The intruder had allegedly entered the house by breaking the tiled roof, forced open a cupboard and stole around ₹10,000. CCTV footage from the area helped police identify the suspect as Pradeep, who is accused in several theft cases.

The police then suspected that he might be using trains to reach the area before carrying out burglaries. For two days, officers kept watch on passengers getting off late-night trains at Parappanangadi and Vallikkunnu railway stations.

On Tuesday night (September 15), the police noticed Pradeep getting off a train from Shoranur at Parappanangadi. His appearance and gait matched the one seen in the CCTV footage, prompting the officers to intercept and arrest him.

The police reportedly recovered an iron rod, a hacksaw blade and gloves from his bag. Investigators suspect that he may have reached Parappanangadi, planning another burglary.

The police had formed a special squad to trace the burglar who had been committing thefts in unoccupied houses for over two months. The squad, led by Tanur DySP Sunil Pulikkal and Tirurangadi Inspector Pradeep Kumar, conducted night patrols in plain clothes and examined CCTV footage from railway stations, bus stands, rented quarters, abandoned buildings and houses.

The police said Pradeep had several cases registered against him both in Keralam and outside. He is also on the ‘rowdy list’ of the Tanur police station, and Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) proceedings had earlier been initiated against him.

During questioning, Pradeep reportedly told the police that he had committed thefts in Palakkad and other places.

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