The preliminary investigation into the disappearance of a stolen Mitsubishi Evolution motor car, which was recovered by the police last Thursday, but later vanished from the compound of the Porus Police Station several hours later, is suggesting that it was a glaring case of negligence on the part of police personnel on duty at the time of the incident.

"We are examining the details of all the statements collected. So far, there is no evidence to suggest that there was any collusion (between the police and criminals), but there is evidence of glaring negligence," Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Dayton Henry of the Internal Affairs and Anti-Corruption Unit told The Gleaner yesterday.

Driven through back gate

According to DSP Henry, in one of the statements, a witness said he looked up and was just in time to see the car being driven through the back gate of the station. This happened about four hours after the police had seized the vehicle in Porus.

Reports are that the vehicle was spotted by a motorist who was aware that the car had been stolen. The motorist alerted the police and as a result, the car was seized and taken to the Porus Police Station, where it was parked and locked up. A close examination of the gate revealed that a chain and a padlock that were on the gate were broken.

DSP Henry said his team of investigators hopes to conclude the investigations within the next two weeks.