Constable Ali Akbar Kareeman, 31, who has 9 years of service in the police force, was arrested this Thursday afternoon, January 19, on a charge of theft from a car. The car was parked in the parking lot of the Serge Alfred pool in Beau-Bassin while its owner, a 37-year-old accountant, was at a swimming session. Constable Akbar Kareeman, who lives in Petit-Camp, Phoenix, confessed to the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) in Barkly and was arrested.
The robbery was committed between 7 and 8 a.m. on Thursday, January 19. In his complaint at the Barkly police station, the accountant, who lives in the Beau-Bassin area, explained that around 7:00 a.m. on the same day, he parked his car, a blue Kia Cerato, in the parking lot of the Serge Alfred swimming pool to go to his swimming session. At the same time, this Beaubassinois says he noticed a navy blue or grey car parked next to his vehicle. His attention was drawn to the ‘quickfill’ on that car and the driver, who was wearing a police uniform, was smoking a cigarette.
After locking the doors of his vehicle, he drove to the pool. When he returned at about 8:00 a.m., he was astonished to find that the driver’s side door of his car was open. After checking inside, he found that his wallet, which contained Rs 2000, 120 euros and his bank cards, was gone. The accountant said that he suspects this policeman to be the author of this theft.
Forensic technicians went to the scene to examine the Kia Cerato and to take fingerprints. Based on the description of the car and driver, Constable Akbar Kareeman was apprehended by his colleagues from the Barkly CID. The victim’s stolen money and bank cards were recovered from his possession.
On Thursday morning, January 19, he was on duty for the first shift at the Barkly police station and should have been on duty at the Barkly metro station from 7:30 to 11:30. Akbar Kareeman was arraigned in Rose-Hill Court this Friday morning, January 20. He is facing a provisional charge of theft from a car. He was later released on bail after spending a night in a cell at the Moka Detention Center.
The suspect was identified by the victim. Police headquarters at Central Barracks issued a restraining order against Akbar Kareeman late Friday afternoon, January 20.
