HYDERABAD: There were no cheerers when he scored a double century, but his plans of retirement brought smiles to the Police Department.

Manthri Shankar, who has allegedly committed more than 200 thefts and burglaries in the past 20 years, on Saturday said that he decided not to break into houses. "I will run an autorickshaw or work as painter to earn livelihood, but will not resort to property offences again," he said when Musheerabad police presented him before reporters here.

They arrested him while he was moving under suspicious circumstances near Canara Bank branch at Gandhinagar. A scooter, a motorcycle and some swords were seized later from him.

27 times

Known for his style of stealing only gold and cash, Shankar had gone to jail 27 times. He allegedly used to commit offences every time he came out of jail and thus had been keeping the police on tenterhooks for past two decades.

His decision to quit the path of property offences apparently relieved police officials.

Shankar used to take away only jewellery earlier but of late started lifting vehicles and taking away cash also, Central Zone DCP Madhusudhan Reddy said. He reportedly had differences with one of his associates Prem over sharing the booty. Since then, he began to procure knives to take vengeance against him, the DCP explained.

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