THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Controversial Instagram celebrity and his accomplice have been arrested for allegedly stealing the collection amount of Rs 2.5 lakh from a petrol pump manager. Jithu (22) and Vineeth (26) known on social media as 'Meesakaran Vineeth', both natives of Velalloor, were arrested by the Magalapuram police. About 10 theft cases are pending against Vineeth. He was also arrested earlier in a rape case registered by Thampanoor police.

The alleged theft took place in Kaniyapuram on March 23. The accused did the crime when the manager of Nifi Fuels reached the Pallipuram branch with the amount to be deposited to the bank. Vineeth and his accomplice reached the pump on a stolen two-wheeler and snatched the money. Police later found the two-wheeler they were travelling in with its number plate changed. The accused were identified during the investigation based on CCTV footage. After the robbery, they left the district and stayed in lodges in many places. Police arrested the accused from a lodge in Thrissur.

In August 2022, Fort Police arrested Vineeth in a sexual abuse case. He allegedly befriended the complainant woman by promising her tips to get more followers on social media, brought her to a lodge and sexually abused her. After his arrest, more people came forward with complaints. Another woman had also filed a complaint against Vineeth that after befriending her through social media, he threatened after capturing videos of her.