Engineering Student Arrested for Burglaries Targeting Government Secretariats in Andhra Pradesh

Chittoor district police in Andhra Pradesh have arrested a 22-year-old engineering student, C. Mahesh Babu, for committing a series of burglaries across government secretariats in the Chittoor, Tirupati, and Annamayya districts. The arrest occurred during a routine vehicle check near Matam Cross on the Chittoor-Tirupati highway, where officers discovered the suspect carrying a printer under suspicious circumstances. During interrogation, Mahesh Babu confessed to using cutters to break into offices and stealing electronic equipment, including printers and laptops. Authorities recovered stolen goods valued at over ₹8 lakh, comprising 30 printers, three laptops, a motorcycle, and burglary tools. The investigation revealed that the accused, reportedly addicted to online betting, sold the stolen items via online platforms to fund his gambling habits and maintain a lavish lifestyle. This case highlights security vulnerabilities within local government administrative buildings and the impact of online gambling addiction on criminal behavior among young adults. The police continue to investigate the extent of the thefts and the networks used to dispose of the stolen property.