Police in Coimbatore have arrested a young man for allegedly breaking into a city corporation ward office and making off with several valuable items, including biometric attendance devices. The incident, which occurred in the Pullukadu area, has highlighted security concerns at local government offices.
Break-in at Ward 86 Office
The burglary took place on Sunday night at the corporation office located in ward 86 of the city's Pullukadu locality. According to police, the accused, identified as S Gowtham, aged 23, forcibly broke open the door of the office to gain entry.
Once inside, Gowtham allegedly stole a range of items. The stolen property included biometric devices, a fingerprint scanner, an electric vehicle charger, a vehicle lifting jack, and a fibre connection device. The theft remained undiscovered until the following morning.
Discovery and Police Complaint
On Monday morning, a supervisor overseeing sanitation workers arrived at the office and immediately noticed that the items were missing. The supervisor promptly reported the theft to Dakshinamoorthy, the assistant commissioner of the corporation's south zone.
Based on this report, an official complaint was lodged with the Bazaar police station on Monday itself. Police authorities quickly registered a case and initiated an investigation into the matter.
Swift Investigation Leads to Arrest
Investigations by the Bazaar police led them to the suspect, S Gowtham, who resides on Mariyamman Kovil Street near Kuniyamuthur. Evidence gathered confirmed his involvement in the break-in and theft.
Gowtham was arrested on Monday evening, the same day the complaint was filed. Following his arrest, he was produced before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody. The swift police action ensured the case was resolved within a day of the crime being reported.
This incident raises questions about the security measures in place at municipal offices, especially those housing sensitive equipment like biometric devices used for employee attendance.
