ALAPPUZHA: Zubair (Pakki Zubair, 49), a notorious burglar hailing from Kollam Shooranadu Thekkumuri Kuzhivila Vadakkethu, was arrested by the police. He used to rob houses and temples within the boundaries of various police stations.

The accused was caught by a special investigation team led by Mavelikkara police inspector Sreejith under the directive of Chenganoor DySP Dr R Jose, as directed by the district police chief G Jayadev.

The accused was identified after checking various CCTV visuals. Zubair, jailed in 2018 for a theft case, was released from the Poojappura central jail in 2020. Since then, he had been living with his wife and daughter in Vellamunda. He fled the place when a rape complaint was lodged against him in the Vellamunda police station.

Zubair, an illiterate, did not use mobile phones. It was challenging for the police to find the accused as he often shifted places. He was first caught for a cycle theft at the age of 14. He started regular thefts since 1995 and was jailed for various cases. In 2004, he conducted numerous thefts in the districts of Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Kollam.

In the morning, Zubair will travel to distant places via buses and trains; sleep during the travels and will then steal from wherever the journey ends. This was his style. During thefts, he will only wear underwear and carry a weapon alongside. He will then steal dress from houses and wear it, leaving his dress there. He had even eaten from a house which he robbed in Mavelikkara.

Meanwhile, the police had issued lookout notices. On the basis of the information that he is a regular cannabis user, who often took lottery tickets, the police conducted investigation centering lottery shops. Zubair was caught as a result of the investigation.

The accused was caught by the investigation team consisting of Mavelikkara police inspector Sreejith, SI Mohzeen Muhammad, senior civil police officers Sinu Varghese, Rajesh Kumar, Unni Krishna Pillai, Muhammad Shafeek, CPOs Arun Bhaskar, Gireesh Lal V V and Jawahar S Riyaz. The accused, was produced before the court and remanded.