An individual who is believed to be the mastermind of an organized gang of thieves in the north coast was arrested during an operation on the night of October 13-14 in a room in the Pereybere area. Nooradin Shamshoodeen, 30 years old and homeless, who was in the company of a 16 year old girl and living in Baie-du-Tombeau was arrested. He confessed his participation in at least six thefts, including a sum of Rs 300 000 taken from a safe in a room in Pereybère. A sum of 77 750 was seized during his arrest. In the wake of this investigation his brother, Bakar Noor Din Shamshoodin, 18, was arrested on Thursday, October 14 on a provisional charge of money laundering. He obtained a sum of Rs 44,000 from the loot from the safe for the purchase of a Suzuki motorcycle. This was seized.
It was after information was obtained on alleged perpetrators of a series of robberies on the north shore that the men of Inspector Thakoor and Sergeant Daby of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of Grand-Bay raided a lodge. Constables Adhin, Potiah, Allat, Ramduny, Soobrayen, Supanee, Lallchand and Constable Pariema caught Nooradin Shamshoodeen and a 16 year old girl in a room.
They were found to be carrying Rs 58,000 in Rs 2000 denominations, 415 euros (Rs 16,600), a black toy gun, two sims cards, two Samsung cell phones and two pairs of Nike shoes. The two suspects were taken to the CID office in Grand Bay for questioning. The teenager was later released.
Nooradin Shamsoodeen confessed to involvement in at least six cases of burglary on the North Shore and was expected to detail the circumstances under which the burglaries were committed. At a construction site in Grand Bay, he had stolen various electrical appliances on the night of August 23. The loot is estimated at Rs 60 000. On the night of August 28 to 29 on a construction site, he had stolen cement bags and tools. The whole is worth Rs 15 000. He is also the author of the theft of a Honda Civic car, worth Rs 68 000. A statement to this effect had been reported to the Trou aux Biches police station on August 17. The teenager is on parole in relation to this car theft.
At the beginning of September, the suspect stole a gas cylinder and a gas stove from a Grand Bay resident. During the night of September 20-21, he stole a Cross SPX bicycle. This one is worth Rs 10 500.
This homeless man also reported a theft that he committed in a room in Pereybère. He had taken a sum of Rs 300 000 which was in a safe. Part of the loot from these robberies was recovered.
Noor Din Shamshoodeen was presented before the court of Pamplemousses during the day of Thursday, October 14. A provisional charge of theft was brought against him. He was then taken back to the police cell. Noor Din Shamshoodeen, who lives in Grand-Baie, was brought before the court of Pamplemousses on Friday, October 15. The police did not object to his release on bail.
The CID expects more arrests in this case.
