Eight arrested over MVR293,100 theft from South Central Utilities Company

Eight men and a minor were arrested last week in connection to the robbery of MVR293,100 (US$19,000) in cash from the South Central Utilities Company, police have said in a statement.

Police have said that the theft occurred on December 18 at 2:10pm on the island of Gan in Laamu Atoll. A bank cheque of MVR13,000 (US$840) was also reported taken in the theft.

According to police, the money was stolen after thieves threatened the company’s staff with sharp weapons as the funds were to be deposited at a local bank branch.

A group of masked men appeared on the road and threatened staff, authorities have claimed.

Police have confirmed that the men arrested on suspicion of having involvement in the robbery were aged 25, 21, 27, 22, 19, and 18.

According to authorities, a 16 year-old minor was also arrested in connection to the case, though police have not presently revealed the identities of any of the suspects.

A police statement said that all the suspects were arrested while at Thundi Ward of Gan in Laamu Atoll.  Investigations into the case are currently being carried out by officers from Gan Police station in Laamu Atoll.

According to local newspaper ‘Haveeru’, Managing Director of South Central Utilities Company Mohamed Nimal confirmed to the paper that six members of its staff were among the eight suspects arrested in connection with the robbery.

The report added that two account officers, a marketing officer, a manager, a technical officer and a electrician all from the company were among those arrested in connection with the case.  The stolen money has not yet been reported found.

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