A late-night theft in a men's PG accommodation in Bengaluru has left several residents shocked after thieves took eight expensive mobile phones away while people were asleep, residents say.
The incident took place at Sai Aradhya Luxury PG for Gents located on Kudlu Main Road in Hosa Palya. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation based on CCTV footage recorded at the property.
According to the complaint filed by 27-year-old cab driver Darshan, a PG resident, the theft occurred between May 28 and May 29. Darshan was said to have returned from work around 11 p.m. late on May 29 and put his two mobile phones on charge with his two friends at the time of going to sleep. Many other residents in his room, and other occupants of his next-door neighbours’ rooms, also had left their phones plugged in overnight.
The theft was discovered early the next morning when Darshan woke up at 6 am and found that both of his mobile phones were gone. He immediately went to talk to other PG residents about the situation. To their surprise, many of them also reported missing phones.
A thorough inspection of the rooms revealed that eight mobile phones were stolen during the night. They belonged to students and working professionals living in PG accommodation.
Following the complaint, a case was registered at the Bandepalya Police Station, and officers began an investigation into the theft.
Police later looked at CCTV footage at the PG premises. Preliminary findings suggest two unidentified individuals entered the building during the late-night hours and moved around the property without attracting attention. They stole the mobile phones and managed to leave the premises undetected.
Many of the residents left their room doors unlocked at night while sleeping, investigators say, and the theft was easy. The suspects appear to have taken advantage of the lack of security and easy access to the rooms, police said.
Police said at the time the PG did not have a security guard on duty. The absence of security personnel may have enabled the thieves to enter and leave the building without conflict.
PG residents and workers who live in shared accommodation in the city have been worried. Police have advised residents to secure their rooms in case the items are transferred and not to leave expensive devices in common or easily reachable areas.
Detectives are watching CCTV footage to search for the suspects. They are also trying to locate the stolen phones through their IMEI numbers and other means.
The theft is a reminder of fundamental security precautions, particularly in hostels and PG accommodation where residents have common space. The CCTV footage will help investigators catch the culprits soon, said a police officer.
