Hubballi: The women in Ranebennur – Haveri district, for days together feared the perverted fetish of a man who stole their undergarments and nightwear. However the police have arrested him on Sunday.

The culprit has been identified as 30-year-old Samihulla Banakar, a resident of Doddagubbi village, Hirekerur taluk, a bicycle mechanic by profession.

It is learnt that Banakar walked wearing the stolen garments on streets where women were alone. A recent CCTV footage showed Banakar enter a wedding hall clad in a female nightwear.

The women in the locality who were sacred to venture out, say, “It was a huge sigh of relief.”

Sub-inspector Santosh Patil, who is attached to Town police station, Ranesbennur, said, there were no complaints of mishbehaviour against Banakar. “He is suffering from a psychological disorder. We have shifted him to a mental health institute in Shivamogga,” he said.