India, Jan. 8 -- In an unusual collaboration, a mechanic and a former software professional from Tamil Nadu orchestrated a scheme to steal laptops and sell them in open markets. One stole the devices, while the other erased their digital traces before resale.

The operation came to light when Bengaluru city police recovered 48 stolen laptops and arrested the two suspects, who are now in judicial custody at Bengaluru Central Prison.

The accused have been identified as M Raja Dorai, 33, a mechanic, and D Gautam, 30, a diploma holder in computer science. Both are residents of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. The case emerged last month after an employee at a private firm in Doddatoguru, near Electronics City, reported a missing laptop, according ...