A man previously arrested for posing as an Immigration Officer has once again been taken into custody, this time accused of stealing chocolates from a shop in Male’.
The suspect, Mohamed Naveen, 44, of G. Beruge, was first arrested in September last year. At the time, police accused him and several others of impersonating Immigration Officers to gain access to a household where expatriates lived. During that incident, he was said to have stolen MVR 9,000 and a mobile phone from a Bangladeshi national.
Naveen was later released, but his name has now resurfaced in another case of theft.
According to the Criminal Court, Naveen was arrested again after taking three chocolates from a store without paying. He reportedly told the cashier he would return shortly with money from someone waiting outside. However, he left without making the payment.
Following the arrest, the court ordered that he be held in remand for 15 days while the investigation continues.
Naveen has a long history of theft, with court records showing he has already served time behind bars for similar crimes. His repeated arrests raise fresh concerns about repeat offenders in Malé, where both petty theft and more serious crimes continue to challenge local law enforcement.
While the case may seem small in scale compared to major crimes, it has sparked public debate about rehabilitation and how best to deal with repeat offenders. Some have questioned whether short jail terms are enough to deter individuals with a history of theft. Others point to the need for stronger community support systems to prevent reoffending.
For now, Naveen remains in custody as the authorities proceed with the case.
