Gold theft in private bus solved; habitual offender arrested in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Afzalgunj police have arrested a 35-year-old man for allegedly stealing gold ornaments from a passenger travelling in a private sleeper bus and recovered about 17 tulas of gold.
The case was registered as Crime No. 153/2026 under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Afzalgunj police station.
Police identified the accused as Annareddy Venkata Siva Reddy alias Siva, a resident of Budhwarapeta in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. He works as a supervisor in a retail outlet.
Theft reported during overnight journey from Anantapur
The complaint was filed by D.S. Keerthana, a doctor working at a hospital in Hitech City. She told police that she boarded a private sleeper bus from Anantapur on April 12, 2026, at 22.30 IST.
The bus halted at Dhone during the journey and later reached Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS), Hyderabad, at 06.00 IST on April 13. After arrival, she found her gold ornaments missing from her bag.
The stolen items included a long haram, mangalsutram, gold chain with pendant, bangles, and rings, weighing about 20 tulas in total. Despite checking the bus and enquiring with co-passengers, she could not trace them and suspected theft.
CCTV analysis leads to arrest of accused
Police registered a case and began an investigation. A special team analysed CCTV footage and conducted field enquiries before apprehending the accused.
Officials said the accused had boarded the same bus at Anantapur. During the night, he allegedly searched bags of sleeping passengers and stole the ornaments. He later got down at Jadcherla and planned to sell the stolen property in Hyderabad.
Police recovered 17 tulas of gold ornaments from his possession.
Accused has prior criminal record across Andhra Pradesh
Police said the accused is a repeat offender with several theft-related cases registered against him in different police stations across Andhra Pradesh, including Anantapur, Kurnool, Vijayawada, and Kadapa.
Investigators said he was addicted to alcohol and betting and led a lavish lifestyle, which allegedly drove him to commit thefts targeting passengers on intercity buses.
Police team appreciated for swift detection
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Golconda Zone, appreciated the Afzalgunj police team for solving the case. The operation was carried out under the supervision of senior officers, including the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Goshamahal Division.
Officials said the team will be rewarded for their efforts in detecting the case and recovering stolen property.
