NAGERCOIL: A special team has taken the suspect into custody in the case of hacking a middle-aged man to death and stealing gold and money after breaking into his house in Parakunnu. James (52), a native of Parakunnu Kadayarvila, was killed. Suresh (35), a resident of Kanakulamkara, Chemmankala, was arrested.

Suresh came to James's house around 11 this morning and hit him on the head with a hammer and cut his neck with a machete. He stole seven and a half sovereign worth of gold that James was wearing and three lakh rupees kept at home.

By the time the locals heard the screams, the accused escaped. The suspect was arrested from his house in Chemmankala during the investigation conducted by a special team comprising SIs Maheswara Raj, Arulappan and Nagarajan under the leadership of District Police Chief Sundaravadhana. The accused was identified through CCTV footage.

After the murder, the accused, who came home on a bike, poured petrol on his clothes and set them on fire. The initial conclusion is that it is a dispute over money transactions that led to the murder. James used to make money by giving loans on interest.

Gold and cash were seized from the accused. The police recovered the hammer and machete used in the murder. The police said that the reason for the murder will become clear only after further questioning. Palukal police reached the spot, took the body, and shifted it to Kuzhithurai Government Hospital for inquest.