Most burglars strike at night—when shadows hide their movements and homes are quiet. But Mehaboob Khan Patan, a 38-year-old career criminal from Karnataka, turned that script on its head. Suffering from night blindness, Patan didn’t lurk in the dark; he walked boldly into houses in broad daylight, relying on timing, nerves of steel, and the assumption that no one would expect a thief at noon.
His most brazen heist? The January 2025 robbery of actor Praveen Kumar M’s upscale residence in Bengaluru’s JP Nagar. In a meticulously planned daylight intrusion, Patan walked away with loot valued at **Rs 65.2 lakh**—including gold, silver, cash, and even a two-wheeler. But his unique condition, once a tactical advantage, became the key clue that helped the Bengaluru burglar case unravel.
Table of Contents
- The Night-Blind Burglar: A Bizarre Modus Operandi
- The Actor House Heist: How It Went Down
- Police Investigation and the Breakthrough
- A Serial Offender: Linked to Seven Thefts
- Recovering the Loot: What Was Found
- Broader Implications: Security Lessons for Homeowners
- Conclusion: When Disability Meets Crime
- Sources
The Night-Blind Burglar: A Bizarre Modus Operandi
Medically known as nyctalopia, night blindness severely impairs vision in low-light conditions. For most, it’s a health challenge. For Patan, it became a criminal strategy.
Instead of adapting to his limitation, he weaponized it. He exclusively targeted homes between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.—hours when homeowners were least likely to be present and security was often relaxed. He’d pose as a delivery person, maintenance worker, or even a neighbor to gain entry or scout properties.
“He told us he never tried to steal at night because he literally couldn’t see,” said a senior officer from JP Nagar police. “That’s why all his crimes happened in daylight. It’s rare to see a physical condition so directly shape criminal behavior.”
The Actor House Heist: How It Went Down
Actor Praveen Kumar M, known for his work in Kannada cinema, had left his JP Nagar home for a short shoot schedule. Patan, who had been surveilling the area for days, saw his opportunity.
Posing as a courier, he gained access to the building. When no one answered the actor’s door, he forced entry using basic tools. Within 20 minutes, he’d packed:
- Gold jewelry (approx. 380 grams)
- Silver artifacts and coins
- Cash totaling Rs 4.2 lakh
- A high-end two-wheeler parked in the garage
He escaped before anyone noticed. The total value? **Rs 65.2 lakh**—a massive haul for a single residential burglary.
Police Investigation and the Breakthrough
Initially stumped, JP Nagar police reviewed CCTV footage from nearby homes and traffic cameras. They spotted a man matching Patan’s description riding the stolen two-wheeler during daylight hours—repeatedly.
“That was the red flag,” the investigating officer revealed. “Most thieves ditch stolen vehicles immediately or use them at night. But he was using it openly in the afternoon. That’s when we suspected a vision-related limitation.”
Further checks into similar daylight burglaries across Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra revealed a pattern. Patan’s fingerprint—on a dropped glove at another crime scene—sealed the case.
A Serial Offender: Linked to Seven Thefts
Upon arrest, Patan confessed to **seven major burglaries** over the past 18 months. His targets weren’t random—they were often homes in gated communities with lax daytime security. He preferred houses where domestic help came and went, allowing him to blend in.
His interstate crime spree highlights a growing trend: mobile criminals exploiting regional policing gaps. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports a 12% rise in inter-state property crimes since 2022, often involving repeat offenders like Patan .
Recovering the Loot: What Was Found
Police raided Patan’s hideout in a suburban Bengaluru rental and recovered most of the stolen items:
- 350 grams of gold jewelry (melted partially)
- Over 2 kg of silver
- Rs 3.5 lakh in cash
- The stolen two-wheeler, repainted but traceable via engine number
Notably, Patan had already sold some gold to local jewelers, underscoring the need for stricter verification norms in the precious metals trade—a topic explored in our guide on [INTERNAL_LINK:how-to-secure-your-home-from-burglary].
Broader Implications: Security Lessons for Homeowners
The case is a wake-up call for residents, especially in urban India:
- Daytime ≠ Safe Time: Burglaries aren’t just a nighttime threat. Always lock doors, even for short errands.
- Verify Strangers: Never let unknown persons into your building without confirmation.
- Install Smart Security: Use motion-triggered cameras and smart locks that alert you to forced entry.
- Neighborhood Watch: Communities that share suspicious activity via WhatsApp groups often deter criminals like Patan.
Conclusion: When Disability Meets Crime
The story of the Bengaluru burglar is more than a crime caper—it’s a strange intersection of medical condition and criminal adaptation. Patan’s night blindness didn’t stop him from stealing; it dictated how he stole. But in the end, that same trait made him predictable.
His arrest not only brought justice to seven victims but also exposed vulnerabilities in home security that many assumed didn’t exist in daylight. As urban crime evolves, so must our vigilance—because the next thief might not come in the dark, but right under the noon sun.
Sources
- Times of India: Night-blind burglar strikes actor’s home, walks away with Rs 65-lakh booty
- National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB): https://ncrb.gov.in/
- Indian Medical Association on Nyctalopia: https://www.ima-india.org/