A team from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is actively looking into a substantial theft totaling $5,800 from the mother of Member of Parliament Alvick Maharaj. The incident reportedly took place on December 19, 2024, at CWM Hospital, where Malti Devi, aged 66, discovered her purse missing while picking up medication.
It wasn’t until the following morning that she recognized her purse was gone, during a visit for a physiotherapy session. Mr. Maharaj took swift action, contacting Bank South Pacific to block the card, but learned that it had already been used for unauthorized withdrawals and purchases.
The thief extracted funds from ATMs and made a notable purchase at Thirsty Liquor in Lami, totaling approximately $1,800. Mr. Maharaj was alarmed by the speed at which the thief acted and subsequently filed a formal complaint at the Raiwaqa Police Station, urging immediate action. He expressed frustration over the perceived lack of urgency in the police response, noting it had been over two weeks without significant progress.
The Acting Commissioner of Police, Juki Fong Chew, has confirmed that the investigation is still in progress. He mentioned that investigators have obtained Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage from the liquor outlet and are awaiting approval from the relevant bank to access camera footage from the ATM.
This incident highlights the critical importance of prompt action in cases of theft and the need for improved responsiveness from law enforcement. With CCTV evidence being gathered, there is hope that the investigation will yield a positive outcome, bringing the perpetrator to justice and providing some measure of security for residents. The involvement of high-profile individuals like Mr. Maharaj can also bring additional attention to the issue of theft and public safety, potentially inspiring broader community vigilance and support for the police efforts.
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