A youth who broke into a women’s hostel at Thavakara, Kannur city, Kerala, was caught red-handed by the hostel staff and locals around 10 pm on Monday.

According to the police, the accused, who lives within city limits, arrived in a four-wheeler, parked the vehicle near the hostel and climbed over the compound wall to enter the premises. Some inmates noticed the intruder and alerted the warden, following which the security staff rushed to the spot.

Upon seeing them, the youth tried to flee, jumping off the wall, but was chased for about 100 meters and caught with the help of locals.

He was later handed over to the Kannur town police.

The police suspect that the youth was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. An investigation is under way to determine whether he acted alone or had accomplices.