A thorough investigation by the Field Intelligence Office (FIO) and the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Central Division led to the arrest of two notorious repeat offenders from Vacoas, namely Bhim Dwarku, 42, and Anil Purmessur, 41, who had been attacking tourists in the Macchabee Forest in Black River. For some time now, tourists have been attacked in this area. They have confessed to being the perpetrators of several robberies with violence against tourists.
This investigation, led by Chief Inspector Nundoo, under the supervision of Assistant Superintendent of Police, Sailesh Kumar Omrawoo, head of the CID of this division, began in the evening of Thursday, November 3. This was after an assistant ranger of the National Park Conservation Service reported to the Grand-Bassin police station through the sub-inspector, Murrakhan, that he was approached by two British tourists at around 3:10 p.m. on Thursday, November 3, while he was on duty at the information counter in Petrin. These tourists, a 51-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman, told him that they were attacked by two men but fortunately, they had nothing in their possession.
This incident took place 500 meters from the Maccabee junction near the rosin trail. The second attack took place 500 meters from the kiosk, along the Macchabee trail. This time, three tourists of German nationality, aged respectively 27, 61 and 63 years, were attacked before being robbed of a sum of Rs 15 000. The assistant ranger explained that he asked them to wait until the police arrived to make a formal statement, but they left before.
The two assailants were described as two men, wearing balaclavas and blue sports tracksuits. They had swords in their possession. During the day on Monday, November 7, a police raid was conducted at the homes of these suspects. This exercise also allowed to find the clothes they were wearing that day.
Bhim Dwarku and Anil Purmessur confessed to other cases of attacks on tourists. Both men were placed in the Vacoas detention center. This Tuesday, November 8, they were brought before the court of Curepipe before being returned to the police cell.
