A serial burglar cut himself with a blade to avoid police custody on Saturday. The Kalachowki police arrested 22-year-old Krishna Ravi Maheshkar for 20 housebreaking cases. Maheshkar’s mother, Vijita, abetted the crimes by allegedly giving Krishna drugs, and then helped sell off the stolen jewellery. Maheshkar has previously been arrested multiple times by Kalachowki, Agripada, NM Joshi Marg, Dadar, and RA Kidwai police stations.

“More than 20 cases are registered against Krishna, but we have failed to recover the stolen items,” an officer said, “His mother would sell only 1 to 2 per cent of the stolen gold; the rest is still hidden somewhere.” A crime committed on May 8 in Kalachowki led to Krishna’s arrest. He was caught on CCTV camera parking his bike on the road, breaking into a house, and making away with gold and cash worth Rs 15 lakh.