Suspect Arrested & Interrogated After Twice Approaching 12-Year-Old

A man has been arrested and released on parole after allegedly following and harassing a 12-year-old boy in Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. The arrest followed a complaint filed with police by the boy and his aunt, detailing two separate incidents. The boy, a student at a public secondary school, reported that the man accosted him twice in early September.

Details of the incidents

According to the police complaint, the first incident occurred on Monday, September 1st, near the Winners supermarket on Poudrière Street.

The boy claimed an unknown man followed him after school, attempting to engage him in an inappropriate conversation before making disturbing remarks and stroking his head.

Although frightened, the boy managed to get away and immediately told his mother about the incident.

Two days later, on Wednesday, September 3rd, the same individual allegedly approached the boy again, this time near Desforges Street, close to his school.

The man, who was dressed differently, reportedly followed the boy to the vicinity of a police station, asking him for details about his daily route and mode of transport.

The boy again contacted his mother to report the incident.

Police investigation

Fearing for the boy’s safety, his relatives reported the matter to the police. The case has been assigned to investigators from the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and the Field Intelligence Unit (FIU). Police have also requested CCTV footage from the Safe City cameras in the area.

The boy has stated that he could recognize the individual but had never seen him before the incidents. The suspect was arrested and subsequently released on parole.

Source: l’Express