A suspect has been taken into custody by Puttalam Police over the killing of a three-wheeler driver and the theft of his vehicle in the Puttalam area.
Police identified the suspect as a 16-year-old resident of Rathmalyaya, Thillaiyadi, Puttalam.
The investigation began after officers received a phone call yesterday (22) reporting that a body had been found inside a canal in the Adapanavilluwa area of Puttalam.
Authorities later confirmed that the deceased was 75-year-old Abdul Latheef, who had left his home on 21 February to take a hire in his three-wheeler. According to investigations, the suspect had arrived at the victim’s house around 9.30 p.m. that night, and the two had left together on the hire.
Police allege that the suspect fatally attacked the driver by slashing his neck with a sharp weapon in order to steal the three-wheeler. After abandoning the body, he reportedly fled the scene with the vehicle.
The stolen three-wheeler was later discovered abandoned near a church in the Mullai Housing Complex in Puttalam and has since been taken into police custody. Following further inquiries, officers arrested the suspect at his residence yesterday.
Police also stated that the suspect is allegedly heavily addicted to narcotics and had confessed to committing the murder to steal money and the vehicle. Further investigations are ongoing. (NewsWire)