Bommanahalli police have arrested a man for impersonating a tantrik to steal gold jewelry from women.

Based on the complaint filed by a woman from Hongasandra police arrested the accused identified as Venkataramanappa, 52, from Chintamani in Kolar district. Police have seized 115 grams of gold jewelry worth Rs 8 lakh from the accused.

According to the Bengaluru police commissioner B Dayananda, Venkataramanappa would dress in traditional attire and visit homes under the pretense of performing rituals to remove curses.

On March 2, the accused had visited the complainant’s house and told that someone had cast a spell on her. He convinced the woman to place her gold jewelry in a pot to perform the puja and asked her to offer daily prayers to the pot. Later he swapped it with a pot filled with rice by diverting her attention and fled the house. The woman discovered the deception when she untied the cloth tied around pot and filed a complaint.

Venkataramanappa had pledged the stolen jewelry at a finance company and a jeweler. Police recovered the items, totaling 65 grams from the finance firm, 30 grams from a jeweler, and an additional 20 grams from his family members.

Man Arrested for House Burglary

In another case, Bommanahalli police arrested Venkatesh alias Venki, 27, from Anekal for breaking into a house and stealing cash and jewelry. The theft occurred on December 12 in Virat Nagar, where the homeowner returned to find the locks broken and valuables missing.

Following an investigation and tip-off, police arrested Venkatesh on December 15 in Andhra Halli. They recovered 42 grams of gold jewelry, 137 grams of silver items, and Rs 2,000 in cash. The stolen items were found pledged at local jewelry shops.