Bangalore: B Sreehari Reddy, a resident of Gooduru in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, and a vastu consultant-cum- astrologer-turned-car-lifter, was arrested on June 1 for stealing a Toyota Fortuner from a reputed builder.
Sreehari came to Bangalore 20 years ago in search of a job from Andhra Pradesh, and lived in Nelamangala on the outskirts of Bangalore.
He found work in a poultry farm before moving into the city, where he became a vastu consultant and astrologer.
Shreehari Reddy's vastu consultancy and astrology business was hurt by the slowdown after which he took to lifting cars.
He would initially do the rounds of the city on a two-wheeler, but was desperate to drive a four-wheeler as he thought it would add to his prestige.
It was to fulfill this desire that Shreehari stole the Toyota Innova in 2008 and began using the car after changing the number plate.
According to the police, Shreehari's vastu consultancy and astrology business was hurt by the slowdown after which he took to lifting cars.
He later approached August Ventures, a construction firm owned by former Minister T John's son Biju John, for a driver's job.
"Unfortunately for Shreehari, another driver Yesu Raj got the job. Sreehari who had set his eye on the Toyota Fortuner, owned by John, followed Yesu Raj and kept track of his movements.
Shreehari even followed Yesu Raj to T John's house at HSR Layout," said Inspector Kishore Bharani of the Indira Nagar Police Station.
"He gradually befriended Yesu Raj and helped him wash the car to gain his trust. Shreehari's frequent requests for the car keys were consistently turned down by Yesu Raj. However, on May 26, Sreehari found the keys and without wasting a moment, fled with the car."
Shreehari hid the Fortuner in Nelamangala and escaped to Andhra Pradesh. He was arrested when he surfaced to sell the car.