Villupuram horror: Cops nab alleged serial rapist for 6 rapes since 2016

Over a month after the brutal murder of an eight-year-old and the assault of his sister and mother in Villupuram district, police have booked a 37-year-old history sheeter in connection to the crime. The Villupuram police further tells TNM that the accused, V Thillainathan, is responsible for the previous crimes of the same nature in Villupuram as well as 13 other cases across three districts.

In February, TNM reported the similarities in a series of attacks that took place in the village of Vellamputhur since 2017. A burglar was on the prowl targeting homes that were isolated from other residences; he used a steel rod to attack victims in the house and sexually assaulted young women, if any were present.

Now, police have claimed that Thillainathan carried out four crimes in Vellamputhur and admitted it during questioning. The other cases involved a 24-year-old woman, who was alone at home, while another victim was a schoolgirl.

A daily wage worker from Cuddalore district, the accused was in jail from 2012 to 2016 for six cases of burglary and sexual assault.

“We took records from all jails and began studying cases in the last 10 years that involved similar offences. We zeroed in on four suspects who were released from jail in the last three years. We then took their photos and enquired with the locals. Four people, including a biriyani shop owner and a farmer, remembered seeing Thillainathan near Vellamputhur,” says Villupuram Superintendent of Police S Jayakumar. “He would come to Thirukoyilur often to meet a former jail-mate named Ramu. That is how he wandered into Vellamputhur, which is just one kilometre away,” the SP adds.

The modus operandi

Following his release in 2016, Thillainathan has admitted to committing 11 burglaries and six rapes in Tiruvannamalai and Villupuram districts claims the police. Police also claim that they have found the steel rods that he used buried in Cuddalore and Villupuram districts.

“He is a daily wage worker but supplements his income by stealing jewellery and valuables from houses. He also has a lady associate named Ambika who helps him steal the jewellery. She has also been arrested,” confirms the SP.

According to the police, the accused would locate isolated homes and observe them for a while. The night before he attacked the family, he would sleep in a secluded spot near the house.

“He would then get drunk, strip down to his underwear and then enter the house with the rod. He bashes up the victims, steals valuables and sexually assaults any young women present there,” says the SP.

He reportedly took off his clothes to avoid being recognised by the colour of his attire. “The reason that he has been getting away with these attacks is because they have not been linked before. Police have just arrested people to close the case without detailed investigation. This time around, I ensured there was a special team to look into the case and we wanted to ensure that the right man was caught,” the SP adds.

Thillainathan has now been booked under the POCSO Act as well as for murder, rape and burglary.