NAGPUR: A couple, in their 20s and in a live-in relationship, opted for a unique way to earn their livelihood and also fulfil their wishes for a good life. Still students, who are completing their graduation, the couple broke into several houses for cash and valuables but were caught before they could execute their plan to rob an ATM.

Shailesh Dumbre is a student of MBA while his girlfriend, both behind bars now, was completing her graduation in fine arts from a reputed institution before they started breaking into houses for money. The couple was caught after the cops managed to track them down with the help of the car they had been using to move around scouting for targets and also to flee with stolen booty under supervision of Zonal DCP Vinita Shahu.

Senior PI Vazeer Shaikh of Mankapur police station, who is still recovering the stolen booty from the couple, said the youngsters flaunted good clothes, drove a good car and also visited high-end eateries and pubs to enjoy. “The youngsters watched social media channels to learn tactics to cut locks and latches within minutes by making minimum noise. They were equipped with hand-held portable gas cutters and oxygen cylinders with which the locks and latches were broken in almost no time,” he said.

“The youngsters used to roam around with the equipment in their car’s dickey. The girl kept small hammers, spanners and such things to open locks in a lady’s purse worth Rs2,000,” said the PI.

The couple stayed at a rented bungalow from where they operated. “We are still in the middle of the probe to ascertain from where the portable equipment and gas cylinders were purchased. Another main aspect of their burglaries was that they would not ransack the place but ensured they laid their hands on the valuables,” he said.

Mankapur police had started looking for the burglars after a spate of cases of housebreakings were reported. Some CCTV footages showed the presence of an orange colour car wherever the burglaries took place. Police had traced the car outside the rented bungalow of the couple but initially their young look and attire misled them. “The couple was rounded up for questioning and subsequently, broke down and spilled the beans,” said the PI.