Search on for 'papaya thief'

New Delhi: Delhi Police is on the lookout for an unidentified man who allegedly plucked two 'papayas' from the bungalow of a BJD MP in the capital's high-security Lutyens' Zone but fled empty-handed after a chase.

According to police, the man, against whom a case of attempt to theft has been registered at Tilak Marg police station, broke into the official bungalow of Odisha MP Arjun Charan Sethi at Pandit Ravi Shankar Shukla Lane near Tilak Marg yesterday afternoon.

He was caught by the MP's son and his staff, but he managed to flee by the time police reached the spot through an unmanned gate. Sethi was not present during the incident.

Preliminary probe into the case has revealed that the thief, a smack-addict, had targeted the MP's bungalow to steal papayas and bathroom utilities such as water taps and other fittings.

The staff of the bungalow claimed that the man had admitted that he had entered the premises for the purpose of stealing papayas and that the fruits were found in his possession.

"But he managed to flee while he was being questioned, leaving behind the bag and the two stolen papayas," police said.