Police authorities in Hyderabad have apprehended a 25-year-old woman who turned to burglary to finance an extravagant lifestyle. Paga Jaya, a native of Bhadradri Kothagudem district residing in Uppal, targeted locked homes after learning how to cut locks and break into safes through YouTube tutorials. Operating completely behind her husband's back, she managed multiple break-ins before forensic tracking and surveillance cameras brought an end to her criminal run.
Academic Dropout to a Life of High-Value Theft
Living in New Bharat Nagar, Uppal, Jaya had discontinued her engineering education during the first year of her BTech program due to financial difficulties. She subsequently relocated to Hyderabad in 2023 and married in 2024. Harboring ambitions of rapid wealth and luxury living, she avoided conventional employment and turned to the internet for illegal methods. By studying online videos explaining lock mechanics and breaking techniques, she acquired the technical knowledge required to breach residential security systems without alerting neighbors or her spouse.
Disguise, Tools, and Methodical Reconnaissance
Investigation revealed that Jaya conducted systematic surveillance across residential neighborhoods to pinpoint unoccupied houses. Once a target was identified, she operated under strict disguise, wearing a full-length black burqa, hand gloves, and a backpack. Inside her bag, she carried an electric hand-cutter machine to slice through heavy padlocks and steel wardrobes within minutes. The gloves ensured that no fingerprint evidence remained at the crime scenes, while the loose disguise prevented easy facial recognition.
The Break-In During a Temple Visit
The turning point came following a formal complaint lodged on 27 October by Gangam Bhasker Reddy, a resident of New Bharat Nagar. Reddy had traveled with his family to visit the Komuravelli temple, leaving their residence locked. Taking advantage of the vacant premises, Jaya breached the locks using her cutter machine and decamped with 48 tolas of gold jewelry, 1.5 kilograms of silver, and 2 lakh rupees in cash. The burglary was discovered immediately after the family returned home, prompting an immediate investigation.
CCTV Tracking and Apprehension at Uppal Bus Stop
Following the complaint, joint teams from the Uppal police and the Central Crime Station reviewed extensive security camera recordings from surrounding entry and exit routes. Surveillance footage captured the suspicious movements of a masked figure carrying cutting gear. On the morning of 31 October, law enforcement officers intercepted and detained Jaya near the Uppal X Roads bus stop. Officers recovered an iPhone 17 along with stolen valuables valued at 70 lakh rupees. Official records indicate that she faces a total of 5 criminal cases registered across Uppal, Medipally, Bhadradri Kothagudem, and Jagathgiri Gutta police stations.
