The trick was almost ridiculous, but the result was immediate. On the night of May 12-13, 2026, the Research Brigade (BR) of the Ndamatou police station put an end to the activities of a gang of five repeat offenders. Their scheme to go undetected? Masking their vehicle's license plate with a mixture of sand and water. This attempt at camouflage didn't fool the vigilance of the police.

An arrest in the act

It was during a nighttime security patrol in the Sékhawga district that police officers spotted a suspicious blue Peugeot 307 parked in the twilight. Ideally positioned at a strategic intersection to facilitate an escape, the occupants were clearly waiting for the perfect moment to attack passersby.

Intrigued by the license plate deliberately obscured by dried mud, the BR officers decided to intervene immediately. The five individuals were apprehended on the spot. A search of the vehicle quickly confirmed the police's suspicions, revealing:

1. Two machetes concealed under the rear seats.
2. Two joints of Indian hemp that have been started.

Unable to justify their presence as an organized and armed group at such a late hour, the suspects were taken into custody.

Relief for several neighborhoods

This arrest puts an end to a wave of armed robberies that had been terrorizing people well before Ramadan 2026. The gang was terrorizing many areas, including Ndamatou, Sékhawga, Nguiranène, Darou Marnane, Yonou Darou, Tally Boubess and the Serigne Modou corniche.

Their modus operandi , meticulously described in several complaints, was always the same: a commando of five men would jump out of a car and violently rob passersby. Knowing they were wanted after their first vehicle (a gray Peugeot 406) was reported, the criminals had recently switched to a blue Peugeot 307, hoping to throw investigators off the scent.

Repeat offenders formally identified

Summoned to the police station, several victims immediately recognized the robbers' new car. During the lineup, the light-skinned driver and his accomplices were positively identified by their targets.

The suspects' profile: Checks in the central police file revealed that the five individuals are notorious repeat offenders, having already been brought before the Public Prosecutor's Office in the past for similar offenses.

The suspects are currently in police custody and are being prosecuted for:

1. Criminal conspiracy
2. Robbery committed at night by a group, involving violence and the use of weapons.
3. License plate concealment
4. Possession and use of narcotics

The National Police reaffirms its total commitment to the safety of citizens and reminds the public that they can collaborate at any time by calling 800 00 17 00 free of charge to report any suspicious behavior.