Thiruvananthapuram: Benjamin, 35, the Madurai native, arrested for the alleged rape of a 25-year-old IT professional in a women's hostel at Kazhakoottam, is also an accused in five theft cases registered in Madurai and another district in Tamil Nadu, police have learnt. Benjamin will be produced before the Attingal Judicial First Class Magistrate - 1. The police will seek his custody for further questioning. The survivor has identified the accused, police said. 

Benjamin allegedly broke into a hostel and tried to molest a woman in the early morning hours of Friday. The woman resisted him, screamed for help and he fled the hostel. A special investigation team was constituted following a complaint filed by the woman. 

The police scanned CCTV visuals and prepared a trail which eventually led to the accused. Benjamin, who also dealt in the purchase of second-hand cars at cheap rates, had secured a loan to purchase the truck. He frequently transported cargo from Chennai to Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam.

On Friday, he reached Kazhakoottam from Chennai and unloaded the materials at a shop in Kazhakoottam. He loafed around the place and targeted the hostel for theft, police said. After the survivor called for help, he went to the place where he had parked his truck and waited till Saturday morning. He then drove to Kollam, loaded another cargo and headed to Madurai. "He had no clue that police were after him. That's why he didn't attempt to go into hiding. We arrested him in Madurai when he stepped out of his place. He didn't put up any struggle," said a cop who was part of the investigation team.

In the wake of the incident, the city police will launch a security audit of women's hostels. The place where the incident happened didn't have any security facilities, police said. "It was a 12-room hostel with no guard or surveillance system. The inmates usually leave the door open, as they share it with 2-3 other women," said the police official.

The police will collect details of hostels functioning in the city, especially Kazhakoottam, where many IT employees stay in rented places. A meeting will be convened with the owners to spruce up security systems.