Daily Mirror - Print Edition

'Batman' arrested over WTC thefts

24 Jan 2025 - 2338      

Colombo, Jan 24 (Daily Mirror) - The Police said they had arrested a 23-year-old Sudanese man of Eritrean origin who allegedly committed a series of thefts at the World Trade Center (WTC) in Colombo, leaving behind the word "BATMAN" scrawled on office walls.  

Police said the suspect stole electronic devices worth nearly Rs. 3 million to fund his casino habit. The thefts occurred in the early hours of January 17, targeting four offices on the 26th floor of the WTC’s East Tower.  

Investigators believe the man was well-acquainted with the building's layout and security systems. The suspect’s father had previously run a fish export consultancy at the WTC, where the man had worked as a director.  

A breakthrough came when police examined social media accounts of former WTC employees and found a Facebook profile linked to the suspect, featuring multiple "BATMAN" posts. 

CCTV footage revealed a masked man entering the building, taking keys from a keyboard, and stealing laptops and mobile phones.  

The suspect was arrested near a Colombo casino, where police also recovered several stolen items. During questioning, he admitted to selling the goods at discounted prices to fund his gambling activities.  

The Fort Police are continuing their investigation into the incident.