Cuttack:
A thief who used to steal costly household articles under the guise of a matchmaker was arrested in Cuttack on Wednesday, police said.
Muralidhar Sahu alias Muna (28) used to pay visits to locals in Markat Nagar and Mahanadi Vihar area under the pretext of being a matchmaker and escaped after lifting household articles, city DCP A N Sinha said.
Police have also seized several electronics items including, computer accessories, laptops, DVD players, colour TVs, vacuum cleaners, ceiling and table fans, besides bi-cycles and motorcycle worth nearly Rs 3.5 lakhs from his possession.
Giving details about his modus operandi, he said that while visiting people, Sahu would carry photo albums and horoscopes of prospecting brides and bridegrooms while offering his services in the utmost professional manner.
"After winning their confidence he would visit his clients often and on getting an opportunity, he would escape after laying his hands on household articles," the DCP said.