Habitual Offender Arrested in Hyderabad Laptop Theft Spree

Hyderabad's Gachibowli Police have taken into custody a repeat offender suspected of carrying out numerous laptop thefts throughout the city's IT sector. The accused individual has reportedly admitted to participating in 13 separate property crime incidents registered across various police station areas.

Law enforcement identified the suspect as Gopi Chinnannan, 35 years old, originally from Vellore district in Tamil Nadu. Officers from a specialized crime unit apprehended him on DLF Road in Gachibowli early Thursday morning while investigating a string of laptop theft complaints that have surfaced since 2025.

According to investigators, the man has engaged in property-related crimes dating back to 2021. Pune authorities had previously arrested him on charges related to a laptop theft in 2023. Following his release on bail, he allegedly relocated frequently across different areas to evade police detection while persisting with similar criminal activities.

Confession Reveals Widespread Pattern

During interrogation, the accused acknowledged his role in 13 separate cases. The incidents were distributed across four cases in Gachibowli, seven in Madhapur, one in Raidurgam, and one in Filmnagar. Between January and May 2025, authorities say he targeted engineering colleges, student dormitories, paying guest facilities, shared accommodations occupied by IT professionals, and residential complexes.

Police recovered one laptop, one mobile phone, and ₹1.60 lakh in cash from the suspect's possession.

Modus Operandi

Investigators revealed that the accused employed a calculated approach to his crimes. He would conduct surveillance of potential targets during daylight hours before executing thefts in the early morning window between 5 am and 8 am. His method involved gaining entry through unsecured doors and windows, after which he would take laptops, mobile phones, and cash—items he could transport without difficulty.

In an attempt to deflect suspicion, the accused reportedly presented himself as deaf and mute to those around him. His primary focus remained on engineering colleges, student accommodations, paying guest lodgings, residences of IT sector employees, and apartment buildings.

The investigation proceeded under the oversight of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, with coordination from the Additional DCP of Serilingampally Zone, the ACP of Narsingi, the CCS DCP, the CCS SHO, the Gachibowli SHO, the Detective Inspector, and the Gachibowli Crime Team.