A meticulous investigation by elements of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of Grand Bay concerning a case of theft of Rs 800,000 worth of cattle from a farm near La Croisette, Grand Bay, led to the arrest of three suspects, including a couple from Triolet, late last week. Some of the stolen animals have been recovered and the other part has already been shot. These CID investigators have only recovered the remains of these animals. They are on the trail of another suspect.
This case was reported to the police on the morning of Friday, February 24, when a 30-year-old resident of Lower Vale reported a theft from his stable located in a cane field across from La Croisette Shopping Mall in Grand Bay. The thieves gained access to this fenced-in area by breaking open the lock on a metal gate. This theft would have occurred between 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 23 and 6 a.m. on Friday, February 24. Nine cattle and nine sheep were stolen.
On Thursday, March 2, based on certain information, the men of Inspector Dooshan Thakoor of the CID of Grand Baie, under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Abdool Raman Hosenbocus and Assistant Superintendent of Police Jankeeparsad Buchoo, went to the village of Grande Pointe aux Piments to visit a 48-year-old farmer. The latter was confronted with the information obtained and he voluntarily had to lead the police officers to his farm where a sheep was found. He was then taken to the CID office for questioning. He was to confide to the investigators that on Tuesday, March 1, at around 6 p.m., the couple Muhammad Shah Nawaz and Bibi Afsanah Mahabookhan had come with this sheep and entrusted the animal to be bred. He said he accepted it because Muhammad Shah Nawaz Mahabookhan and his wife used to buy animals with him.
Based on information provided by this man, these police officers went to Triolet where a homeless man, Michael Henri, 46, and the couple Muhammad Shah Nawaz and Bibi Afsanah Mahabookhan were arrested. Michael Henri was quick to confess to having committed the theft of these cattle and explained the modus operandi. It was in the company of this couple and another suspect that this crime had been committed. He confided to the CID police officers that part of the stolen cattle was hidden in a forest in Arsenal, that the other part was slaughtered and the meat was sold. If Bibi Afsanah Mahabookhan confirmed the version of this suspect, her husband asserted his right to silence.
The farmer of Lower Vale identified the sheep found in Grande Pointe aux Piments as his own. During the day of Friday, March 3, these three suspects were brought before the court of Pamplemousses and returned to the police cell. Michael Henri and Bibi Afsanah Mahabookhan led the CID men to a forest in Pamplemousses where two oxen were each tied to a tree.
Michael Henri had to identify two barns where three cows were slaughtered and the remains were later disposed of near a river in Pamplemousses. Accompanied by a veterinarian from the Ministry of Agro-industry, these police officers went to this place. Indeed, animal remains were found. The photographer of the police force was solicited at this place to take pictures before these remains are transported to the veterinary section of Réduit.
