Burglar learned trade from online stores

A 22-year-old man who learned how to pick locks from guides bought from online stores has been held in connection with 13 break-ins, police in Changning District said yesterday.

According to police, the man, surnamed Shao, stole valuables worth nearly 150,000 yuan (US$24,780) in a string of thefts over the past two months.

Changning police received a report in December from a resident on Maotai Road saying that a tablet computer and gold jewelry had been stolen from his apartment.

Surveillance footage identified the suspect, who was seen selling stolen goods.

Police located where Shao was staying and monitored him in hotels and cyber cafes.

On January 8, a bag Shao was seen carrying in footage was found at the front desk of a hotel.

Shao entered the hotel and officers raided his room.

Police said Shao confessed to the break-ins, saying he bought teaching materials on lock picking for 300 yuan (US$49) online by chance last year.

Shao said that while he had found stealing and spending the cash exciting, mostly it left him feeling anxious.