Notorious criminal Aadu Antony arrested

Palakkad: Aadu Antony, the State’s most wanted burglar, involved in nearly 200 cases, including the murder case of a policeman in 2012, has been arrested in Palakkad.

The 52-year-old suspect has been on the run ever since the murder of police constable, Maniyanpillai, on June 25, 2012 in Kollam.

He was arrested from Chittoor in Palakkad when he came to see his son at Gopalapuram in the early hours of Tuesday. The police got to know of his arrival in Palakkad from a phone he made to the son.

Anthony alias Aadu Anthony, a native of Kollam, named the ‘techie thief’ by State police, has struck at houses, offices, schools, banks and other establishments and burgled only electronic goods, especially laptops and TVs worth over Rs. 50 lakh from 2002.

Maniyampillai was murdered at the night of June 25, 2012. The constable-cum-driver, along with sub inspector Joy spotted a white Omni van parked on the corner of a road while patrolling. They questioned the man behind the wheels who was in possession of screwdrivers and pliers. Suspicious, they forced him into the patrol vehicle. He then stabbed Maniyampillai with a knife, killing him instantly. He attacked Joy as well and fled in his van.

He has been taken to Palakkad crime branch headquarters.