Retired Sergeant arrested over theft of ASPs hoister machine

A retired Police Sergeant has been arrested on Thursday (20) by the officers of the Colombo Crimes Division in connection with the theft of a hoister machine worth Rs.1 million belonging to Assistant Superintendent Preethi Kumara Gunaratne.

This hoister machine had been in the Kollupitiya police premises for many years. ASP Preethi Kumara Gunaratne, before being promoted as an ASP was working as the Officer-In-Charge of the Kollupitiya Police. Although several years had passed since he was promoted and gave up the post of Officer-In-Charge, this machine, which is said to belong to him, had been in the Kollupitiya police premises. The Colombo Crimes Division stated that this machine which was in the police premises had been loaded into a lorry and taken away by several people including this officer six months ago. The Colombo Crime Division, commenced investigations after a complaint was made by the ASP.

It is said that during the investigations it was revealed that this officer and another sub-inspector had committed the theft with the help of two police workers. Accordingly, this Sergeant was arrested after he appeared before the Colombo Crimes Division. The Colombo Crimes Division said that investigations are underway to arrest the other persons involved in this theft.