Richard Marianne, known as Dalot, a 26-year-old homeless man, was surprised at a shopping center in Vacoas, where police were called after the alarm system was activated in the early hours of Tuesday morning, January 2. The suspect and his accomplice gained access by breaking and entering. The latter managed to escape with cartons of Maryland cigarettes worth Rs 70,800. Damage is estimated at Rs 60,000. The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of Vacoas is actively searching for a second suspect living in Mangalkhan, Floréal.
It was 3:56 a.m. on the morning of Tuesday January 2 when the alarm system at this shopping center on Avenue Independence, Vacoas was activated. The 65-year-old owner was immediately informed by the Caudan Security guard company. He in turn alerted the Central Division’s sub-command center to the situation. A team of police officers from the Field Intelligence Office, Special Night Surveillance and agents from the security company were on the scene within minutes.
Together with the owner, the building was inspected. It was found that the toilet door had been damaged after the air extractor had been removed. On the second floor of the building, police officers and security guards found that two doors and a glass panel of an office and a cupboard had been damaged. Forty cartons of yellow Maryland brand cigarettes made in Luxembourg were stolen.
The building was thoroughly inspected, and an individual found in a prayer room on the second floor was arrested at 4.30 a.m. on Tuesday January 2. He identified himself as Richard Marianne. When questioned, he confided to the police that he had come to this location in the company of his friend for a burglary. The latter, who lives in Cité Mangalkhan, Floréal, managed to escape with cartons of cigarettes.
This burglary scene was filmed by surveillance cameras. After his arrest, Richard Marianne was handed over to the Vacoas CID police.
