KOCHI: Eight murders, more than 10 robberies ... 'ripper' Jayanandan, who terrorized the people from 2003 to 2006, turned to crime after being caught stealing a saree. The incident took place while he was staying at Thrissur's Mala. Jayanandan stole a saree from a neighbour's house and gave it to his wife as a gift. When the wife wore this saree to a wedding party in the neighbourhood, the real owner recognized the saree. Following this, Jayanandan and his wife moved to Kodungallur. But Jayanandan did not stop theft. He was caught again trying to steal the necklace of a woman in the neighbourhood. After his release from prison, he frequented looting in Ernakulam and Thrissur.

A series of murders

• Jayanandan started the series of murders in 2003 by killing Jose, a native of Mala in Thrissur. He was hit in the head with an iron bar during the robbery.
• Twin murders in March 2004 in Mala. Nabeesa (51) and her daughter-in-law Fauzia (23) were bludgeoned to death. 32 sovereigns of gold was robbed.
• In October 2004, Kalappura Sahadevan and his wife Nirmala were killed and 11 sovereigns of gold was robbed in Mathilakam, Thrissur.
• In May 2005, an elderly woman named Elikutty was killed by hitting on the head during an attempted robbery in Vadakkekara.
• Subhash, a beverages employee, was killed in 2005 in Paravur.
• He was arrested in for the murder of Puthenvelikkara Baby. The police reached Jayanandan from the hints given by the first suspect, a native of Thuruthippuram.