He stole a vehicle from a workshop and set it on fire – 23-year-old handcuffed for five cases

The arrest of a 23-year-old man from Nicosia was carried out yesterday 5/3/24 in Nicosia by investigators of the TAE Nicosia against whom 5 arrest warrants were pending for cases of theft of motor vehicles and arson of a vehicle committed between the dates 25/11/23-5/3/ 24 in the Nicosia and Famagusta Districts. Specifically, during the above period, on 4 different occasions, vehicle owners reported to the police that unknown person(s) stole their vehicles.

These are three cars and a motorcycle, of which the motorcycle was stolen from outside the owner's house where it was parked, while one car was stolen from a gas station where the owner took it to be washed and the second from a paint shop where the owner took it for repair. As for the third car, it was stolen from a garage where its owner took it for repairs.

On 1/3/24 and around 2000 hours, a car was found on fire in a rural area in the village of Sotira, Famagusta District, which was later found to be the car reported by its owner on 28/2/24 to the TAE of Nicosia that this was stolen from the paint shop where he was taking it for repairs. From examinations carried out at the scene it was established that the fire was set maliciously while various evidences were received for scientific examinations.

Tests carried out both by the investigators of the TAE Nicosia and the TAE Famagusta secured testimony that the 23-year-old was involved in the cases under investigation and arrest warrants were issued against him and he was wanted.

In relation to the motorcycle, following information, it was located in a residence in Nicosia where the 23-year-old recently lived, while one of the cars has also been located in the area of ​​Nicosia.

The 23-year-old appears not to be cooperating with the investigators and is making various allegations which will be investigated while tests are also carried out on various closed circuit video surveillance from the points where the vehicles were stolen.

The 23-year-old was brought before the District Court of Famagusta in Paralimni, which issued a detention order for a period of 7 days.