Robbery at blocks A and B, ground floor of Unity House |06 September 2022

Assistant superintendant Toussaint (Photo : Vidya Gappy)

10 shops/offices broken into, no arrest so far

It was around 7am yesterday that the Seychelles police were made aware of a series of robberies that took place in 10 shops/offices in blocks A and B on the ground floor at the Unity House, in Victoria. No arrest has been made so far but the police have started their investigation.

“It has been established that this unfortunate event took place early Monday morning. The Seychelles police are aware that each business has their own security personnel. The police patrolled the area at around 00.15am and the break-ins happened after that. At this moment, the owners of the shops have not yet determined their losses,” said police spokesperson, assistant superintendent Jean Toussaint in a press update yesterday afternoon at the police headquarters.

Mr Toussaint added that no cameras are working in the area but the police have been receiving information from members of the public.

He has urged people who might have seen something or are aware of what happened and know who the culprits are, to come forward even anonymously with credible information.

The police have also sent out a strong warning to members of the public not to buy stolen goods as they risk facing severe consequences.

“Recently in the case of a theft that happened in a shop at Ile du Port, four people have been formally charged for buying stolen goods. We are sending a very strong message to everyone to not venture into these illegal activities,” warned Mr Toussaint.

Update on other incidents

Roche Caïman accident:

During the same press meet, the police shared that it is unfortunate that two citizens ‒ two sisters ‒ lost their lives in a car accident at Roche Caïman on Saturday night. The car the two deceased women were travelling in plunged into the sea and there were two other women passengers in the rear seat at the time of the accident.

The two ladies who have died in the accident are sisters Jovanette Victor aged 37 years old and Charlette Mohamed Ali aged 43 years old. Jovanette was certified dead when she reached the hospital that same night, while Charlette, who was in the intensive care unit, passed away early yesterday morning.

“The incident was reported at around 11.50pm on Saturday and all our partners came forward to help. It is also important to acknowledge the help of members of the public. An investigation is ongoing but we were able to establish that there was speeding. The other two persons who were in the car are in hospital and in stable condition,” said the police.

Ros Sodyer:

Since the beginning of the year, the police have recorded nine incidents at Ros Sodyer, Takamaka.

On Sunday, a 20-year-old male, Kurt Joubert, died. Kurt’s younger brother, who had come to his rescue, has survived.

“We received the report at around 6pm and all partners including the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency, Coast Guard and marine police started the search. The operation lasted an hour and Sergeant Julinio Nourrice came with the drone to guide the boat to save the two young men. Around 7pm they were attended to but unfortunately one was motionless. We have had such incidents before, and we hope that more can be done for the safety of all.”

Sergeant Nourrice explained how the use of a drone helped them locate the boat which was nearby and signalled them about the two persons who were in distress.

“I flew the drone from the beach near the Chez Batista restaurant and by chance it was the same person who always saves people in that region who was in the boat and he went ahead to save the two young men,” said Sergeant Nourrice.

Death at Baie Lazare:

The police also reported that a 28-year-old man, Mike Soomery, was found dead, presumably hanged, on the beach at Anse à la Mouche, Baie Lazare early Saturday morning.

Mr Toussaint shared that investigation is ongoing and that they are waiting for autopsy result to determine the cause of death.

Vidya Gappy