An attempted break-in in Rajasthan’s Kota turned into an hours-long spectacle after a man allegedly trying to steal from a locked house became stuck inside a kitchen exhaust opening, leaving him hanging helplessly until police arrived to arrest him.

The incident took place in the Borkheda police station area when the homeowner, Subhash Kumar Rawat, was away with his wife on a trip to Khatushyamji on January 3. The house remained locked until the couple returned in the early hours of the following night.

According to police, the situation came to light around 1 am when Rawat’s wife opened the main gate. As the scooter headlights fell on the house, the kitchen area suddenly became visible revealing a startling sight that neither of them expected.

A man was found stuck midway through the kitchen exhaust fan shaft, with his upper body inside the house and the rest suspended outside. Shocked by what they saw, the couple immediately raised an alarm, drawing neighbours from nearby homes.

कोटा का प्रताप नगर। एक घर में चोरी के लिए 2 चोर घुसते हैं। रात 1 बजे परिवार अचानक घर पहुंचता है तो एक भाग जाता है, लेकिन दूसरा
रसोई में लगे एग्जॉस्ट फैन के छेद में ही फंसा रह गया। चोर कार से आए थे। pic.twitter.com/2SQJw4jjlj

— Arvind Sharma (@sarviind) January 6, 2026

Police later explained that the accused had entered the premises with the intention of theft but made a critical error while attempting to gain entry. He allegedly tried to squeeze through the narrow exhaust fan opening, misjudged the space, and became trapped, unable to move forward or retreat.

Police said, “On Sunday night, when the couple returned and opened the main gate they noticed through the scooter light that a person was half stuck in the kitchen exhaust fan. Alarmed, they raised an outcry. Hearing the commotion, neighbors rushed to the scene.”

During the commotion, one of the accused’s accomplices reportedly fled the area, abandoning him at the spot. Locals gathered as the man remained stuck in the wall for nearly an hour.

Officials added that the trapped man attempted to scare the homeowners and residents into letting him go. “Hearing the noise, one of the thieves managed to flee but the other got stuck in the exhaust fan. After being caught, the accused threatened the homeowners and neighbours, claiming that several of his accomplices were nearby. Despite the threats, the residents did not release him and immediately informed the police,” police said.

Police Rescue Thief

A team from the Borkheda police station reached the scene after receiving information. After sustained efforts, officers managed to pull the accused out of the exhaust opening and take him into custody.

Police confirmed, “After considerable effort, the personnel rescued the thief from the exhaust fan. The accused was arrested and is currently being questioned. Interestingly, the car the thief had used bore a police sticker, which has also been seized.”

Sources said the vehicle was allegedly fitted with the police sticker to avoid suspicion while moving through residential areas. The car has been seized as part of the investigation.

Authorities are now questioning the accused to determine whether he is linked to other theft cases in Kota. Police are also working to trace the accomplice who escaped during the incident. Further action will be taken based on the findings of the ongoing investigation.

The unusual episode has sparked widespread discussion locally and online, with many expressing disbelief over how a routine burglary attempt ended in such an unexpected arrest.