A petty theft in Pali Pettai near Nellai turned dramatic when the intruder left behind a sarcastic handwritten note, mocking the house owner for “not even keeping a rupee” at home.
James Paul (37), living in Gandhi Nagar, had locked his house and travelled to Madurai with his wife Pete to visit their daughter. Before leaving, he checked the CCTV feed on his mobile and found the cameras functioning.
However, the next morning, the CCTV connection was cut. Sensing something amiss, he alerted his neighbours, who inspected the house and found the front door broken open.
James Paul rushed back from Madurai and discovered that the bureau inside had been broken into and Rs 25,000 kept in a purse had been stolen.
A complaint was lodged at the Pettah police station. Police teams inspected the spot and collected evidence. Inside the house, they found a note left behind by the thief.
The letter read:
“You don’t even have a rupee in your house. Are these cameras for this? Next time, if a thief like me comes, keep some money so you won’t be disappointed. Forgive me… I am that kind of thief.”
Police have seized the note and are examining surrounding CCTV footage to trace the culprit. The thief’s unusual taunt has created a stir in the neighbourhood.
