The 27-year-old suspect also attempted to kidnap the bus driver.
Rabat – Moroccan police arrested an individual in Casablanca on Friday for his suspected involvement in the robbery of two buses using a knife.
One of the Casablanca robberies included the attempted abduction of the robbery victim, the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) said in a statement, according to Morocco’s state media
The arrest followed a notification that DGSN members received Friday regarding an attempted kidnapping on a bus in the Hay Hassani district in Casablanca.
The 27-year-old suspect also attempted to kidnap the bus driver using the same method, according to the same source.
Security services of Casablanca intervened and quickly identified the suspect. Upon arrest, police found a knife in the suspect’s possession and believe it may be the weapon used in the crimes.
Further investigations revealed that the young man was also involved in a similar robbery on a second bus, in the Casablanca neighborhood of Ben Msik.
The victim of the first robbery had their phone stolen. During the arrest, police seized a phone from the suspect that they believe is the same as the stolen one.
Police put the suspect in custody under the supervision of the prosecution to determine the ramifications of the alleged criminal acts.
In cases of possession of a knife, Moroccan police often resort to the use of a service weapon to arrest offenders who do not comply with the security agents’ orders.
In a similar case on July 29, the Casablanca police arrested a 25-year-old robbery suspect who was threatening the lives of innocent citizens with a knife in the street. They were forced to subdue the suspect by firing at him with a service weapon.
The criminal, who was highly intoxicated according to DGSN, had attacked a policeman with the same weapon causing injuries on the officer’s shoulder and fingers.
Faced with the dangerous suspect, a police officer withdrew his service weapon and fired at the suspect twice, which led to his submission and eventual arrest.
