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MANGALURU: Ravi, after strangulating elderly couple at Kakkinje in Belthangady taluk, consumed whisky which was at home till 4am infront of dead body, before fleeing with valuables and cash.

Startling revelations came after the arrest of Ravi, 26, a habitual offender, resident of Kallavaddara Gadag district and who has committed nearly ten such robberies. Also, has eight arrest warrants against him was nabbed by Dakshina Kannada Police for murder for gain, on Saturday.

K V Varki, 80, and his wife Eliyamma, 72, residents of Charmadi Village in Kakkinje were found dead at their residence on January 11. The murder took place on the night of Sunday January 10, said S D Sharanappa, Superintendent of Police, DK. Police were clueless about culprit and motive behind the crime as the couple were aged and had no enmity with anyone. According to police arrested person has committed dozens of such crimes in Hubbali and Gadag districts from his childhood days and used to target only single houses with elderly people.

 An investigating officer speaking to TOI revealed that a month ago on December 11, Ravi, after coming from Gadag, joined as a day wage labour at an under construction water dam in Banjaru village, 10 kms away from murder spot.

After two weeks of joining work, he brings his three-month-old pregnant wife Kariamma to workplace and takes her to a Kakkinje Clinic for periodic check-up. As she waits at the clinic, Ravi steps out looking for a single house in neighbourhood and notices a couple living without any other people at home.

As he found that that house is potential for his crime, Ravi starts frequenting house often. He visits nearby toddy shop and used to go near house after getting drunk. Police said that on one night, grandson of victim was present at home and he chased him after seeing Ravi being drunk. Initially couple and grandson believed that Ravi might have come to rob wooden logs stored at home for cooking purpose. It is a common problem in village to steal wood, officer pointed out.

 On day of the crime, Ravi in inebriated state, knocks at couple’s door and claims that he has lost way to his home. Eliyamma had gone to bath at that time. K V Varki, after offering water to drink, steps out the house to show him way, as duo walk some metres away, Ravi takes out a heavy wooden logs and hits on elder man’s head and later strangulates.

After confirming Varki’s death, he immediately rushes inside house to search for valuables unaware of Eliyamma’s presence, enters house after finishing bath. Ravi leaps on her and strangulates her to death.

 However, Ravi after decamping valuables, goes to nearby hotel around 4.15am and drinks tea. Unsatisfied with the bounty that he looted, he again steals Rs 300 from a meat shop by breaking door from behind. It has taken him nearly two weeks for recce and robbery.

 Later, he goes to workplace and based reliable information police nab him.

 He was booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) 302, 392 and case registered at Belthangady Police Station.